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Review – Damned

Posted in Book Blogger

Damned

by Alexandrea Weis and Lucas Astor

DamnedSeries: Magnus Blackwell, Book 1
Genres: Adult, Supernatural
Release Date: October 3, 2017
Pages: 426
Purchase from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | KoboiBooks
My Rating: ★★★★☆

Over a hundred years after the death of Magnus Blackwell, Altmover Manor sits abandoned.

Lexie Arden and her fiancé, Will Bennet, are determined to rescue the neglected Mount Desert Island landmark. They want to make Altmover Manor their home. But Magnus has other plans.

A spirit bound to his former residence, Magnus finds himself inexplicably drawn to the young woman. She has a supernatural gift; a gift Magnus wants to exploit.

As Lexie and Will settle in, secrets from Magnus’s past begin to surface. Compelled to learn all she can about the former owner, Lexie becomes immersed in a world of voodoo, curses, and the whereabouts of a mysterious dragon cane.

Magnus’s crimes won’t be so easily forgotten, and what Lexie unearths is going to change the future … for everyone.


Review

I don’t typically read books about ghosts and voodoo, but I’m really glad I gave Damned a chance.

From the beginning, you’re given hints that not all is as it seems with the various characters. I’d really like to know the whole story behind Magnus, Jacob, Frances, and Katherine. I’m guessing it’s in the prequel, so I’ll have to check it out when I have some extra reading time.

Will confused me. We’re never given the reason he so desperately wanted to buy Altmover Manor, so I can’t easily justify his seeming lack of emotion at losing the house. For the first half of the book, he puts up a huge fuss, to the point of being insensitive, about Lexie’s abilities, but then easily accepts them and her new life once he gets to New Orleans. And, while I understand that there are events that can change your opinion of a person, his complete 180 in his opinion of Magnus doesn’t seem to fit. I would have expected a bit of soul-searching first.

Lexie is much easier to follow. Although her feelings about her abilities and surroundings tend to go back and forth a bit, they seem to follow a much more realistic and understandable progression. I enjoyed following her journey.

I have to give the authors credit for making Magnus’ character arc believable. It was rather extreme, but was executed masterfully, such that I didn’t question his changes.

There were a couple of odd patches where I was sure the book was ending, only to swipe to the next page and find that there was still quite a bit more. Damned could have easily been broken up into two books and done just fine, although I don’t really see this as a problem, it’s just something worth commenting on.

I’d like to mention that there were quite a few typos and errors in the copy I received. However, I don’t know if those exist in the final edition available for purchase, because I received a digital ARC copy, and it clearly states that it may contain errors.

Overall, I enjoyed Damned and I look forward to reading Blackwell and Bound. I hope the identity of Lexie’s mysterious ghostly helpers is confirmed in Bound. We’re given some solid clues as to who they are, but I’d like to know for certain.


About the Authors

Lucas AstorLucas Astor is from New York, has resided in Central America and the Middle East, and traveled through Europe. He lives a very private, virtually reclusive lifestyle, preferring to spend time with a close-knit group of friends than be in the spotlight.

He is an author and poet with a penchant for telling stories that delve into the dark side of the human psyche. He likes to explore the evil that exists, not just in the world, but right next door behind a smiling face.

Photography, making wine, and helping endangered species are just some of his interests. Lucas is an expert archer and enjoys jazz, blues, and classical music.

One of his favorite quotes is:  “It’s better to be silent than be a fool.”  ~Harper Lee (To Kill a Mockingbird)

Alexandrea WeisAlexandrea Weis is an advanced practice registered nurse who was born and raised in New Orleans. Having been brought up in the motion picture industry, she learned to tell stories from a different perspective and began writing at the age of eight. Infusing the rich tapestry of her hometown into her award-winning novels, she believes that creating vivid characters makes a story memorable. A permitted/certified wildlife rehabber with the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries, Weis rescues orphaned and injured wildlife. She lives with her husband and pets in New Orleans.

Author links: Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter


Disclaimer: This review is based on a complimentary eBook I received from Xpresso Book Tours. The complimentary receipt of this book has in no way affected my review or rating.

Xpresso Book Tours

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