Tag Archives: Devil’s Isle

The Beyond by Chloe Neill – Review & Giveaway

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The Beyond by Chloe Neill – Review & Giveaway

 

 

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Description:
It’s been a year since the Veil between the human world and the world Beyond was torn apart, and war began again. Sensitive Claire Connolly and bounty hunter Liam Quinn have been helping their human and paranormal allies fight back against the ravaging invaders and save what’s left of New Orleans.

But a new enemy has arisen, more powerful than any they’ve seen before, and even Devil’s Isle cannot hold her. . .

When Claire learns of a new magical weapon–one built by paranormals themselves -she knows it could turn the tide of war. But to reach it, she and Liam will have to cross into the Beyond itself. In a world full of hostile magic and dangerous foes, she’ll have to channel the powers she once kept hidden in order to survive. New Orleans hangs in the balance, and the storm is growing closer . . .

 

 

Review:

The Beyond by Chloe Neill is the 4th book in her Devil’s Isle series. For a brief refresher:  The story takes place in a war ravished New Orleans, where paranormals or those with magic and humans are still plagued by war, though it’s been a year since the Veil between the human world and the world Beyond was torn apart. Our heroine, Claire Connolly (a sensitive) and our hero, Liam Quinn have been helping their human and paranormal allies fight back against the invaders and save New Orleans.

Liam returns to Claire and New Orleans, all though he is still coming to terms with trying to control the magic that is now part of him. When a powerful vengeful Seelie (Fae) escapes after an attack on Devil’s Isle, all hell will break loose, as the Seelies are determined to destroy New Orleans, including all paranormals and humans.  Claire, Liam, Gavin, Malachi, Rachel and friends are unable to stop the destruction by the Seelies, but a clue about a possible magical weapon, which strips magic, sends the group to the Beyond where part of the weapon is hidden. 

The Beyond (Elysium) is forbidden land on the other side of the Veil (separating Earth and Elysium), run by the Consularis, who have always refused to help the other side in the war.  When they see for themselves how peaceful, perfect and beautiful things are at the Elysium, they begin to learn about how the Consularis forces those who are possible dissenters and compel them to be totally subservient. 

Malachi a former member of the Consularis is not impressed how they are living, sees why many of those dissenters left Elysium to enter the Veil years before.  Malachi tries to reason with them to loan the piece of weapon they need to no avail. Will they find a way to get the part before leaving the Beyond and get back in time to New Orleans? 

What follows is an exciting fast-paced adventure, both in New Orleans trying to fight against the powerful Seelies, as well as being able to enter and escape the Beyond.  I loved that Claire and Liam have become the couple we have been rooting for. I loved Claire, who was a great heroine; strong, loyal, fearless, caring and how more powerful she became. I also love the secondary characters in this series, such as Tadji, Gunnar, Malachi, Moses and Rachel. 

The Beyond was a wonderful story, with a great romance, fabulous characters, and filled with magic and excitement.   I understand that with things tying up nicely at the end, this is the end of this series.  If you enjoy fantasy in an apocalyptic world, you should read this series and start with the first book, The Veil.  

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

Chloe Neill’s publisher is offering a paper copy  THE BEYOND to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, please refresh the page (at the top of your computer).

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Please follow Chloe Neill on FACEBOOK.

4. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

5. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

6. Please FOLLOW us on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

7. Please follow The Reading Cafe on Tumblr

8. Giveaway open USA only

10. Giveaway runs from June 6 to 10, 2019

 

 

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The Hunt by Chloe Neill – Review & Giveaway

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The Hunt by Chloe Neill – Review & Giveaway

 

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The HuntAmazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM / Book Depository

Description:
When bounty hunter Liam Quinn discovered that Claire Connolly was a Sensitive and infected with magic, he should have turned her in to be locked up in the prison district known as Devil’s Isle. Instead, he helped her learn to control her power and introduced her to an underground group of Paranormals and humans who know the truth about the war and those who fought it.
Now the weight of Liam’s own secrets has forced him into hiding. When a government agent is killed and Claire discovers that Liam is the prime suspect, she races to find him before the government can. But she’ll discover proving his innocence is no simple matter. Their enemies are drawing closer, and time is running out….

 

Review:

The Hunt by Chloe Neill is the 3rd book in her Devil’s Isle urban fantasy series.  For a brief refresher:  The story takes place in a war ravished New Orleans, where paranormals or those with magic are delegated to live in Devil’s Isle.  Claire Connolly, our heroine, has hidden most of her life that she is a sensitive, with some magic, which would send her to Devil’s Isles.  Liam Quinn, a Bounty Hunter, is our hero, and the one who helps Claire learn to control her magic, as well as showing her how to be a Bounty Hunter.  In the last book, with a cult leader trying to destroy all paranormals, Liam’s secret is revealed when they manage to destroy the enemy.  With his body infused with magic, Liam goes into hiding.

The Hunt begins with Claire, Gavin, and Malachi leaving New Orleans to travel through the bayous to find Liam, who is now wanted for murder of a government agent.  When they all return to New Orleans, Liam will try to discover who is trying to frame him, and in a short time the group will find a conspiracy that brings things close to home for Claire.  A conspiracy that will restart the war of paranormals and humans, which has been under control due to the Veil that stops the paranormals from entering their realm.  Note:  These are powerful and violent paranormals, who want to destroy humans.  The Devil’s Isle paranormals are mostly non-violent and live freely but only in the territory they are assigned.

Claire will learn about her dead mother, whom she never knew and about a horrifying plot that will kill paranormals, and open the Veil once again.  The romance between Liam and Claire took a backseat, as Liam could not handle his magic overload. When things begin to happen bringing them to fight together, Liam and Claire’s love will shine through.  I also love many of the secondary characters that Neill has created; Gavin, Moses, Gunnar, Eleanor, etc.

What follows is an action packed intense story in a post-apocalyptic world. At times, early on I did think that things did drag a bit, but the last half was very exciting with lots of action.  I love Claire, who was a great heroine; strong, loyal, fearless & caring of her friends.   As we race to the finish, there are a few twists and turns that leaves us holding our breath and anxiously waiting the next book in this series. If you enjoy fantasy in an apocalyptic world, you should read this series and start with the first book, The Veil.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by publisher

 

 

Giveaway-Green/Gold

Chloe Neill’s publisher, Berkley, is offering a paper copy  THE HUNT to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, please refresh the page (at the top of your computer).

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Please follow Chloe Neill on FACEBOOK.

4. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

5. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

6. Please FOLLOW us on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

7. Please follow The Reading Cafe on Tumblr

8. Giveaway open USA only

10. Giveaway runs from September 26 to October 2, 2017

 

 

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The Sight by Chloe Neill – Review & Giveaway

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The Sight by Chloe Neill – Review & Giveaway

 

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The SightAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM / The Book Depository

Description:
The paranormal war that engulfed New Orleans seven years ago is over. But the battle for the city is just beginning . . .

Claire Connolly is a Sensitive, infected with magic when the Veil that divides humanity from the world beyond fell. Magic can easily consume and destroy a Sensitive, and if Claire’s secret is discovered she’ll be locked into the walled district of Devil’s Isle along with every other Paranormal left in the city.

Bounty hunter Liam Quinn discovered Claire’s secret, but refused to turn her in. Together they saved New Orleans from the resurgence of magic that nearly destroyed it. But now a dangerous cult is on the rise, and it will take both Claire and Liam—and magical allies within Devil’s Isle’s towering walls—to defeat the occult threat before magic corrupts them both…

 

Review:

The Sight by Chloe Neill is the 2nd book in her Devil’s Isle series.  The story picks up pretty much where the first book left off. You can read my review of The Veil here, if you want a refresher.  Claire Connolly is our heroine in this series; she is a Sensitive, but she also has magic, which she hides, with only a select few knowing.  If she is discovered to have magic, she would then be locked up in Devil’s Isle, instead of working with Liam, our hero, in learning how to become a bounty hunter.  Claire is also learning how to control her magic, to be able to protect herself. Most people in New Orleans know Claire, as runs a local store for food and supplies.

While she and Liam are searching for a sensitive that lost control of his magic, and become a dangerous wraith; they are approached by a group of people chanting.  This new cult, wants to eliminate all paranormals, including those on Devil’s Isle, and anyone who befriends or protects them.  The leader of the cult is dangerous and thinks nothing of killing innocents.  It is up to Claire and Liam, and their friends to find a way to stop them from destroying New Orleans.

What follows is an action packed intense story in a dark urban fantasy world that will bring even enemies together to help fight off the terrorist cult that has now outnumbered them.  In between the oncoming attack, Claire and Liam finally succumb to their growing love for each other.  I loved the secondary characters that are Claire’s friends,  who will play instrumental parts in fighting off enemy. 

At times, things were a bit slow, as you learn so many details on this strange new world; but the story overall was very exciting with lots of action.  The best thing about this series is the heroine, Claire, who made a wonderful heroine; she was determined, strong, loyal, rational and fearless.   As we race to the finish, there are a few twists and turns that were surprises, which will lead us to the next book in this series.  I look forward to see what happens with Claire, Liam and the rest of their friends.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

giveaway

Chloe Neill’s publisher is offering a paper copy  THE SIGHT to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, please refresh the page (at the top of your computer).

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Please follow Chloe Neill on FACEBOOK.

4. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

5. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

6. Please FOLLOW us on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

7. Please follow The Reading Cafe on Tumblr

8. Giveaway open USA only

10. Giveaway runs from August 16-20, 2016

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The Veil by Chloe Neill – a Review

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The Veil by Chloe Neill – a Review

 

The VeilAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM / The Book Depository

Description:
Seven years ago, the Veil that separates humanity from what lies beyond was torn apart, and New Orleans was engulfed in a supernatural war. Now, those with paranormal powers have been confined in a walled community that humans call the District. Those who live there call it Devil’s Isle.

Claire Connolly is a good girl with a dangerous secret: she’s a Sensitive, a human endowed with magic that seeped through the Veil. Claire knows that revealing her skills would mean being confined to Devil’s Isle. Unfortunately, hiding her power has left her untrained and unfocused.

Liam Quinn knows from experience that magic makes monsters of the weak, and he has no time for a Sensitive with no control of her own strength. But when he sees Claire using her powers to save a human under attack—in full view of the French Quarter—Liam decides to bring her to Devil’s Isle and the teacher she needs, even though getting her out of his way isn’t the same as keeping her out of his head.

But when the Veil threatens to shatter completely, Claire and Liam must work together to stop it, or else New Orleans will burn…

 

 

Review:

The Veil by Chloe Neill is the first book in her new Devil’s Isle Urban Fantasy series. This is an interesting new world that Neill has created, which takes place in war ravaged New Orleans. Seven years ago the Veil which separated super naturals and humans was torn apart, and a war ensued causng havoc and massive destruction. Humanity won, with the Veil put back and sealed. Those who remained outside of the veil that have paranormal powers were relegated to a territory, which was guarded. They may live in a community with freedom within, but the paranormals call it Devil’s Isle. Now 10 or so years later, the Veil is weakening again, with someone determined to open it again.

We meet our heroine, Claire Connolly right from the start, as she runs a store in the Quarter, which offers all kinds of commodities that are hard to find, since the war ended. Claire meets up with her friends, but she holds a secret from everyone; she is a sensitive. Sensitives are humans who were endowed with magic that had seeped through the Veil during the war. Claire can move or stop things (telekinesis), which she discovered on her own, and keeps it a secret, since if found out she would be sent to Devil’s Isle.

On her way home from meeting with her friends, Claire tries to help a woman being attacked by Wraiths. The wraiths are damaged sensitive’s that were overloaded with magic, and need kill to absorb magic from others.

Though Claire manages to escape the wraiths, she unknowingly catches the eye of Liam Quinn, a bounty hunter, who finds and captures wraiths. Liam is our hero, and convinces Claire to get training to teach her how to handle her magic, and ensure she doesn’t turn into a wraith. Most of the above was early on. What follows is an adventure that will have Claire and Liam working together to find the people trying to open the veil. As she learns how to control her magic, Claire will find herself in dangerous situations hiding who she is from those in control, and trying to discover who she can trust among her friends. A romance between Claire and Liam slowly begins to build; something we can expect more of in the future books. Can Claire and Liam stop the Veil from opening again?

Chloe Neill has created a nice world building that is dark, filled with magic and paranormals, great secondary characters, and a nice couple in Claire and Liam. In any world building, the first book leads the way. Though there was some type of closure, the story is left open ended for us to patiently wait for the next book. I enjoyed The Veil, though early on it was a bit slow and confusing trying to absorb everything. I expect the following books to be even better.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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