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Author: Wynne Channing
Genre: Paranormal Fantasy/Romance
Category: Teen/Young Adult
Publisher: Jet & Jack Press
Review copy: Received from author via Dark Minds BT
BLURB
An ancient prophecy warns of a
girl destined to cause the extinction of the vampire race.
So when 17-year-old Axelia
falls into a sacred well filled with blood and emerges a vampire, the immortal
empire believes she is this legendary destroyer. Hunted by soldiers and
mercenaries, Axelia and her reluctant ally, the vampire bladesmith Lucas, must
battle to survive.
How will she convince the
empire that she is just an innocent teenager-turned bloodsucker and not a
creature of destruction? And if she cannot, can a vampire who is afraid of bugs
summon the courage to fight a nation of immortals?
MY THOUGHTS
What Kills Me by Wynne Channing was truly terrific! Hands
down. Unlike any other vampire stories I’ve read, this book seemed to offer a
story that is fresh and genuine. All elements of the story, from the adorable
characters to wonderful settings, were perfect and they all worked for me. When
I first saw this book on LT giveaway, I have to admit that I was drawn to the
cover and then I read the summary and did my research on Goodreads. The reviews
were amazing and for the first time, I read reviews of a vampire book that
didn’t compare it directly to Twilight.
The story is about Axelia, or Zee, an exchange Canadian
student in Italy who meets a handsome Italian stranger, Paolo, on her way home
after buying a box of cannoli. His mysterious charm sweeps her off of her feet
and Zee finds herself inevitably swoon by him. So she agrees on sneaking out
just to go on a date with him. However, Paolo doesn’t seem who he claims to be
and Zee is forced to fight for her life only to fall into a well and immerges
dead and as a new vampire.
First of all, I don’t blame Zee for easily falling for a
handsome foreign dude. The instant infatuation is totally understandable. I’m
speaking based on my own experience (duh!). From the first page, this book had
me hooked up with its fast-paced and intriguing plot. There was never a dull
moment as Zee finds herself hunted by a group of vampire assassins across
different continents, from Europe to Asia. That’s another thing about What
Kills Me that I loved. I hate being confined in just one place and this book
offered an endless adventure I always look forward to. Zee is absolutely one of
the best female characters I’ve known. She isn’t too girly yet she never hesitates
of showing her romantic side. She’s not too strong or overly independent yet
she doesn’t afraid of the uncertainties she will face as an immortal. And Lucas
obviously brings out the best in her. Lucas is a great companion and lover as
well but I’ll elaborate more on his role as a ‘lover’ once I have a better ‘view’
of their relationship in the second book. Yes, you heard that right. I just
found out that the author is working on the sequel, so…yay!
On the other hand, I was kept wondering if Zee will ever have
a chance of seeing and saying a proper goodbye to her family and friends.
Perhaps in the second installment the author will include the scene as I am
eager to find out how her family and friends will react to her ‘demise’ since
Zee is very close to them. Throughout the story, she is reminded occasionally
of her loved ones and that was without doubt very upsetting. I couldn’t recall
the last time I read a YA book with an MC who has a strong bond with her family
and friends.
Overall, this book is a great kick-start for a series, full
of witty humor, bad-ass villains and lovable protagonists. I’m so anticipating
the sequels and I bet other readers are as well. Now I just to need keep fit so
I can keep up with Zee and more of her adventures to come…and a lot more
smooching with Lucas too!
RATING: 5 out of 5 stars!
Purchase you copy at
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Wynne Channing is an
award-winning national newspaper reporter and young adult novelist. She loves
telling stories and as a journalist, she has interviewed everyone from Daniel
Radcliffe and Hugh Jackman to the president of the Maldives and Duchess Sarah
Ferguson. The closest she has come to interviewing a vampire is sitting down
with True Blood's Alexander Skarsgard (he didn’t bite). She briefly considered
calling her debut novel "Well" so then everyone would say: "Well
written by Wynne Channing."
Where to find Wynne:
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