The Bloodgate Guardian

Author: Joely Sue Burkhart

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Publisher: Carnia Press

ISBN: 9781426890154

eBook: $5.39

Buy Link - http://ebooks.carinapress.com/06C6CB1A-F9CF-4DAF-9221-20F165C480BF/10/134/en/ContentDetails.htm?ID=EDB0D4D0-4D40-422E-872C-EDD2C470E9CD

Rating:

Truthfully, when this book came along for me to review I was very eager to dig in. Not only because the novel sounded fantastic, but also because it was a Carnia Press release, and I had yet to read one of their stories since their launch. The Bloodgate Guardian didn't disappoint.

If you’re looking for a fast paced story, I’m afraid The Bloodgate Guardian isn’t it. But there's a good reason for that, it's very compelling. The history, the legends of the Maya, had me totally engrossed from page one. This story took a good two weeks to read, not because of lack of interest, but more so, the Mayan history was so in-depth, I could only handle a couple chapters at a time.

Now, there were things that rubbed me the wrong way, such as, Jaid seems to be lacking an emotional element to her. I’m not sure if that’s just the way she is, which of course, we all know people who do act like this. But I had a hard time really connecting with her. Without spoiling it, there are some very serious scenes early on in the story that for most would be a total heartbreak. While she did shed some tears it just didn’t seem to be enough. Furthermore, one character we meet at the beginning of the story, gets forgotten about very soon after his departure from the story. It seemed a little cold to me.

All in all, this story has a very Da Vinci Code feel too it―in regards to the legends and solving the mystery. It brings together a tormented soul, a very brilliant woman, danger, Mayan legends, and romance. Add all this into wonderful writing, I’d say it's a hit―a perfect book to curl up with on a cold fall night.

THE BLURB:

Worlds within worlds await through the Maya Bloodgate...

Dr. Jaid Merritt doesn't do digs. The last time she ventured into the jungle, someone died. Now she's content to decipher Maya glyphs from pictures sent to her by her famous archaeologist father. But when he goes missing while trying to perform a ritual based on her translations of an ancient codex, Jaid must put aside her fears and travel to Guatemala to find him.

After misusing the Bloodgates to bring his twin brother back from the afterlife, the Maya priest known as Ruin was cursed by the gods to stand as the guardian for all time. He was unable to stop Dr. Charles Merritt from opening the gates, and now demons roam this world. The last thing he wants to do is hurt the beautiful woman who is somehow infused with his magic, but if she uses the codex to retrieve her father, Ruin must do his duty. And this time, he won't fail. Even if it kills him. Again.

Website - www.staceykennedy.com

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/profile.php?id=100000956942180

Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3473046.Stacey_Kennedy

Twitter - http://twitter.com/Stacey_Kennedy