Avengers Assemble

I'll be honest and confess to a slightly shaky start with SOUL AVENGED. There's quite a large cast and some brand spanking new supernatural species with their own names to learn, and we also do a round robin on POVs, so there was a lot going on making the beginning part hurt my brain a little. (It's not its fault; it's just overworked ;)). Also, I thought it took a while to establish Ayden as the main character. We seemed to spend the first few chapters establishing everyone but her, so it wasn't until maybe 20% in that I got fully hooked on her - and Kane's - story. And 20% of a book this size is quite a chunk! BUT, once I was in it, I was in it for keeps and there was no looking back!

Perhaps I should do you all a solid and go over the main three supernats. There is a glossary, but you know how it is with ebooks; it's not the easiest thing in the world to flip back and refer to them.

(These are my own descriptions, not the ones from the glossary)
Alexi - So Ayden, the main character, is an Alexi - someone bitten by a Lycan, but not turned because they contain a natural resistance in their DNA. They have all the perks, though, like enhanced speed, strength, etc. They're programmed (or brainwashed) to kill Lycans on sight and are generally quite rage-filled. They are assisted in the change by one man with a special serum that helps transform them. He can also, somehow, strip them of their pre-change memories if, for instance, they recall their family being eaten by Lycans right before they "died". You wouldn't want to carry that for eternity, right?
Lycans - Shapeshifters, usually appearing as werewolves. Mostly barbaric, mindless killers.
Sons of Wrath - a group of seven brothers who are also vengeance demons. As in, if someone has a grievance, they can be called upon to exact revenge on their behalf. Funnily enough, this first book isn't about any one of them, but we got to touch on what it is they do a bit towards the end, and meet them as secondary characters.

The romance between Ayden and Kane was well played, I thought. Kane has to be the most amiable prisoner/kidnapee I've ever read about, lol. He was also a total doll, and a nice balance to Ayden who is, as an Alexi, full of rage. I liked the pace at which the relationship developed and changed. Ayden's reluctance was endearing, but, ultimately, who could resist Kane? He's just such a cutie!

To wrap up, although SOUL AVENGED is not a perfect book, and there were a few issues at the beginning as I've already laid out, it is very good and definitely worth a read for fans of Paranormal Romance looking for something a bit different. I want the second book, like, now. *waggles eyebrows at author*

4 Stars ★★★★
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.