Tag Archives: Card Holders

Broken by Kaitlyn Legaspi – a Review

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Broken by Kaitlyn Legaspi – a Review

 

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Description
The world of the fifty-two domains finds itself fractured.

After the awakening of the rogue leader’s powers and the invasion of the dark creatures known as Vain, Neela answers the summons of the Card Holder of the Ace of Spades. He seeks to rigorously hone and strengthen her powers for the arduous battles to come as she plays her part in the prophecy of sibling gods.

Neela is put through a series of trials that not only challenge her physical abilities, but push her to an emotional limit. Doubts of past decisions fester as her morals are tested. Her fears of becoming someone unrecognizable grow with each passing day. As she reflects on her unsettling changes and increasing isolation, she can’t help but think…

Just one small push could send her plummeting over the edge.

 

 

Review

Broken by Kaitlyn Legaspi is the 4th book in her Card Holders series.  It’s been a while since I read the previous books. But once I dived into Neela’s world, I soon became engrossed…You definitely need to read in order as it’s an ongoing story.

It’s paced pretty well, we get a little back history, but not too much (that’s why I recommend reading in order.) Action is written really well, and we have the side characters that just add to the story. We have our love interest, but it’s not at the forefront, the story is Neela’s up and coming battle (with herself and what lies ahead.)

It’s really hard not to just spill out the story, but that ruins it for others, so I’ll just give my thoughts on the book and try really hard not to give away anything 😃

Neela is still fighting, surviving and trying to live as normal a life as possible. But losing loved ones take its toll, it takes a piece of you that you never get back 😔 she has people she cares about, but through the books Neela has lost people she truly loved. Her powers grow ever stronger, and a side that we don’t expect appears 🤐 and Neela finds herself scared and worried for the people around her!

And the ending…. Although not a cliffhanger in anyway, it does make me sad for Neela!

What a great addition to this series. I’m thinking of going back to the beginning to reacquaint myself with it all, as I’d forgotten how good they were. A highly recommended read. I’m fact I’d recommend the whole series. And at the end of the book, we find out there is another one to look forward to 😁

Reviewed by Julie

Copy supplied for Review

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Final Loss by Kaitlyn Legaspi – a Review

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Final Loss by Kaitlyn Legaspi – a Review

 

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Description:
The Card Holder tournament is no more.

A year after the tragedy that befell the Queen of Hearts Domain, Neela finds herself living an alternate life of ease and happiness, a life where all her memories of pain, suffering, and loss didn’t exist.

After being thrust back into her cruel reality, Neela discovers the truth behind the harrowing events of the past year. Most importantly, she learns of her disturbing connection to the crimson-eyed rogue leader and assumes her role in a development far more momentous than the Card Holder tournament could ever be.

The pressure within Neela builds as she struggles to accept her position in a branched prophecy. Balancing the physical and mental burdens constantly assaulting her is seemingly impossible as the tragedies of the past continue to fill her heart with sinking trepidation.

One more devastating loss can either send her over the edge or strengthen her resolve in yet another grand inevitability.

 

Card Holders Series:

Red Blood #1
Two more Lives #2
Final Loss #3

 


Review:

Final Loss by Kaitlyn Legaspi is the third book in her Card Holders series. I’ve read and loved the two previous books, which you will need to read in order for this book to make any sense. But this one is my favourite in the series (although there are a few moments I didn’t like)!  I don’t want to give too much away, so excuse my vagueness in places.

Neela is living a peaceful life, a new name and life (you’ll find out why without me telling you ?) but it’s not long before she’s plunged back into her old life and battles!!

With this book we briefly retell books one and two (enough information without wasting pages). Secondary characters are still amazing and all are necessary for to the story.

Fast paced action, romance thrown in here and there, and don’t forget the friendships that Neela had acquired along the way, some of them old friends some of them are new ones, and sadly we’ve lost a few along the way, the author isn’t scared of killing a likeable character (or two) through these books.

Action/adventure: I’ll have to admit, the fight scenes in this book are amazing, I felt like swinging and ducking at odd moments during the battles, and it’s also a great learning curve for Neela (she’s not often beaten in a battle, and to have a beat down, brings her up, makes her reevaluate and encourages her to try harder.

YA? (Young Adult) Probably not, I’d probably lean towards a slightly older market, but that’s just me.

I was thrilled to read this one, as I was anxious to see how this would play out. I wasn’t disappointed, it’s filled with action and adventure. Loss and drama, but it’s also packed with magic, family and love. You also have your villains (who truly are bad guys)

So I’d advise you to read books one and two before this one. Then dive right in, it’s a beautiful written, and well thought out story. Great for readers who like action and adventure.

Reviewed by Julie

Copy supplied for Review

 

 

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Two More Lives by Kaitlyn Legaspi – a Review

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Two More Lives by Kaitlyn Legaspi – a Review

 

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Description:
The second set of battles of the Card Holder tournament has commenced.

After months of rigorous training under platinum card user Brochan Cordis, Neela Blydes begins the remaining half of the solo rounds, determined to succeed and become Card Holder of the Queen of Hearts of Domain. Though focus is critical in her battles, another set of burdens consumes her mind.

During the day, Neela searches for her connection to the leader of the rogue organization and the reason behind the death of her father. At night, her dreams are overtaken by darkness and distress, with one filled with destruction and death. Despite any brief moment of happiness that blesses Neela, nothing is enough to overcome the fears it plants within her.

Not after she wakes to a room of living shadows.

 

Review:

Two More Lives by Kaitlyn Legaspi starts where book one ends, so it does need to be read in order as it will make a lot more sense. 

Neela is still suffering from a huge personal blow. But training for the next round of the competition helps her get through the day. Brochan (her trainer) has been a great help) when he’s not training her, then he’s acting like a buffer (keeping her occupied) trying to help her work out who killed her father, and why do they want her dead?! And what’s with the nightmares? Are they linked to her past, or is it a glimpse into her future?

But that’s not going to stop her competing in the tournament. She has to beat Ember Redd, and then she needs answers that she’s convinced he has. The shadows that frighten Neela need more investigation, us there a purpose or a reason for these shadows? 

Then we have the rogue organization that may or may not want to bring down the Card Holders Domains (magic holders can enter the tournament to win the right to rule different areas). Original characters like Brochan and Amil are a welcome return, and new characters such as Morissa (start out as antagonists) add a new dimension to this thrilling read. 

Another really good read, as the author takes us on an emotional journey of discovery and growth. Neela is such a great character, she suffers blow after blow, but still tries to remain positive. Really well written and again quite a lot of thought and detail.    

Two More Lives will have you gripped until the last page. There is double dealings and betrayal, there is also Neela dealing with the loss of loved ones, and a budding romance ? we have laughs as well, so it’s not all doom and gloom. We get the mystery part as Neela continues to find answers to all the questions she has in her head. The fight scenes are detailed enough for it to play in your head. 

I’d happily watch this as a movie or tv series. It’s engrossing and thought provoking. I’d probably put this in the YA category and I’d also warn that there might be a few triggers that could upset people. So read the warnings before diving in. And now after that ending, we have to wait for book three! 

Reviewed by Julie

Copy supplied for review

 

 

 

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Red Blood by Kaitlyn Legaspi – a Review

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Red Blood by Kaitlyn Legaspi – a Review

 

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Description:
In the fifty-two domains, there exists two groups of people: The bound and unbound, those without powers and those with them. Only the unbound can hold the highest positions in the government: The Card Holders.

When her domain’s Card Holder dies, seventeen-year-old Neela Blydes is forced to participate in a tournament to find the unbound most worthy of leading the Queen of Hearts Domain.

But the tournament isn’t as glorious as it seems. It herds unique unbound known as Specialists into deadly combat. Winning by default is nonexistent and killing is permitted. 

As Neela progresses through the first few rounds, she realizes the tournament is just one of her worries. The burn scar on her left shoulder suddenly flares up at random times, an elite assassin marks her as his next target, and a frightening connection to the murderous rogue organization comes to light. 

While trying to deal with all these stresses weighing on her shoulders, one more appears in the form of a white-haired man with crimson eyes. 

Dangerously familiar crimson eyes….

 

 

Review:

Red Blood by Kaitlyn Legaspi is the first book in her new Card Holders series. A new author for me, and one I’m going to be adding to my reading list. 

We start in the past. Men in suits come, and kill her parents and force Neela and her brother to escape with nothing but their lives! Neela needs to hide who she is, she’s unbound yes, but someone pretty special, and she needs to be careful. Someone wants her dead, Or under their control!! 

Unbound? Bound? What or who are they? The Bound are people that can’t use abilities, so Unbound can. They all have different abilities, and most people are scared of them. And as Neela has two powers!! Then she’s doubly dangerous!!

So after their parents were killed, Neela and Jacen (Jacen is her older brother) make their way to a small hospital (Neela was injured in the attack) and that is where they have lived ever since, they’ve become adopted children of the doctor who treated them. 

Domain is an area you live in (like a town) and unfortunately she lives in the poorer area, but Neela and Jacen are pretty happy, that is until Neela is told she’s going to have to participate in the tournament. The tournament felt a little like divergent/hunger games. Staying alive gives you the chance at becoming the next leader in your domain. But everyone knows the tournament is a license to kill the unbound..

There are a few characters introduced early in the book, I have a feeling they are going to be with us for a while…..

Brochan Cordis is Jacen’s boss and is going to train Neela how to participate in the tournament, training is hard and Neela is left wondering how she’s going to survive the training and the tournament! Brochan is also associated with the domain they all live in (does he ulterior motives?)

We meet William Parker (or Will or Parker as he likes to be known) as the pilot that picks Neela and the gang after an incident that nearly sees Neela not entering the contest at all!! He’s going to be a friend an ally. 

Lily is Brochan’s sister and Parker’s wife. She works the computers and enters Neela into the tournament, she comes across as a big sister. 

Neela is wary of getting too close to people (other than her brother) but these people persevere and slowly gain Neela’s trust. 

Amil Galway and Neela meet, and they are not going to be friends. He antagonises her and gives her the nickname “shrimp” and wouldn’t you know it, he’s one of the contestants in the tournament (and a pretty powerful one) and in the Organisation (but they are getting hungry for power and domains) but getting to know him, Neela sees him as a sibling in the shadow of his older and more dangerous brother!! 

The tournament is a learning curve for Neela, she thought she was good (and a little cocky) but she was soon brought back down to earth with a bump!! Each round is surprise, but not as much as the personal attacks on Neela!!!  And who is Redd Ember? Friend or foe? Well after you’ve read this book, your going to know…..

So does Neela become the next Card Holder of the Queen of Hearts? Cliffhanger? Not really, but it does leave it open for the next book. Romance? A budding friendship, definitely. Romance? Who knows. YA? Definitely. The fight scenes are as graphic as an adult might read. 

Really well written, and really well thought out. If there is another book, I’m up to read it. 

Reviewed by Julie

Copy supplied for review

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