Ascension review

 

I greatly enjoyed Ascension by Sable Grace, the first book in the Dark Breed series. It has been sitting on my shelf for a while and I finally picked it up over the weekend. I'm kicking myself for not reading it sooner.

I usually lean more toward paranormal romance and while Ascension does contain the beginnings of a romantic relationship, it is definitely more urban fantasy. That's not a criticism because it features a well built world with very real and engaging characters. Perhaps I should be reading more urban fantasy. 

Kyana was an easy character to enjoy. She was smart, kickass, sarcastic, and jaded but there was a deep core of honor and loyalty to her that shown through her very thick protective walls at various moments. Kyana's disdain for the gods and humans was, frankly, completely understandable but that didn't stop her from doing her duty at great personal risk. Her ability to balance her vampire half with her lychen half and control them both is something she does not get enough credit for throughout the book.

While Ryker is a demigod and the son of Ares, he is almost more human than the formerly human Kyana. He craves the emotional bond he feels he could have with Kyana but isn't willing to take a chance to actually have it. Oh, he claims he knows she isn't willing to give him the relationship he needs but he actually never tells her the reason he has walked away from her. I did like his protectiveness despite knowing she is more than capable of taking care of herself. Ryker definitely grew on me throughout the book. 

The supporting characters were all interesting and engaging - some I loved like Haven and Geoffery and some I loved to hate like Ares and Atropos. But all were very well written and gave the story greater depth. 

I definitely recommend Ascension to anyone who enjoys urban fantasy or paranormal romance. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series and will definitely look into reading more urban fantasy in the future.

Synopsis

The gates of hell have opened, and one woman will stand in the crossfire as the Dark Breed—vampyre, demons, shape shifters—and mankind fight their last battle for survival.

Kyana is half Vampyre, half Lychen ... and the last of her kind. Determined, dangerous, and damned, she has no love for the mortals who have imprisoned and misused her. But when the Order of Ancients entrusts her with a mission—to find the key that will send the Dark Breed back into Hell for eternity—Kyana has no choice but to accept.

She is furious to learn her assignment comes with an escort ... Ryker, a demigod and fierce warrior who long ago found a way under her skin and stayed there. In a shaky alliance, they discover an ancient cult with dangerous motive and a god who seeks to destroy all others. And as Kyana begins to feel the heat that threatens to bind her to Ryker, she knows she has to resist. For it could only mean the undoing of them both...