Author:Kim Idynne Release Date: 15th February 2022 Series: Genre: New Adult, Paranormal Fantasy Format: E-book Pages: 180 pages Publisher: Blurb: When nineteen-year-old vampire Elias Hellström reunites with Aarya, his childhood love, she sets him on a strange and terrifying path to becoming human again. Confronting his own demons is challenging enough, but Elias must also contend with the monsters he has gathered around him: monsters who prey on humans, and who respond to his transformation with varying degrees of hunger, envy, and wrath.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Mahatmas and Monsters by Kim Idynne is a new adult paranormal fantasy read that proved to be a fast-paced emotional rollercoaster ride. This book started out on a high note and pulled me in right from the beginning. For the length of the book, I was impressed with the number of details it packed and the profiling of the characters.
The writing was good and made this book an even quicker read, which is always a big plus for me. I liked the characters and cared for them enough to know what would happen to them throughout the book. I am looking forward to reading more books by the author.
This book would be a perfect fit for paranormal and new adult genre readers.
Being a supernatural genre fan I am big-time into zombies as well as vampires (but if I’m being honest I am little biased towards zombies.) Anyway, so I’ve been trying to catch up all the zombie and vampire movies on Netflix and that got me thinking that I should do a post on it to keep a track of the movies I’ve watched so far, and keep returning to, on Netflix.
So here’s my list of 5 zombie movies that I like to re-watch every time I crave for some zombie action:
1.World War Z
Former United Nations employee Gerry Lane traverses the world in a race against time to stop a zombie pandemic that is toppling armies and governments and threatens to destroy humanity itself.
2.28 Days Later
Four weeks after a mysterious, incurable virus spreads throughout the UK, a handful of survivors try to find sanctuary.
3. Cabin Fever
Five college graduates rent a cabin in the woods and begin to fall victim to a horrifying flesh-eating virus, which attracts the unwanted attention of the homicidal locals.
4.Dawn Of The Dead
A nurse, a policeman, a young married couple, a salesman and other survivors of a worldwide plague that is producing aggressive, flesh-eating zombies, take refuge in a mega Midwestern shopping mall.
5.Zombieland
A nurse, a policeman, a young married couple, a salesman and other survivors of a worldwide plague that is producing aggressive, flesh-eating zombies, take refuge in a mega Midwestern shopping mall.
As I said, I’m biased towards Zombies, so I’d recommend reading this post if you want to know which Vampire movies to watch on Netflix: Vampire movies on netflix.
Do share your favourite Zombie/Vampire flicks in the comments below!
Author: Michael Phillip Cash
Release Date: April 6, 2016
Series: None
Genre: YA | Adventure | Urban Fantasy | Post-Apocalyptic | Horror>Zombies |
Paranormal>Vampires | Shapeshifter>Werewolves | Post-Apocalyptic
Edition: Ebook (mobi)
Pages: 336
Publisher: Create Space
Source: NetGalley
Buy it here: Amazon
Blurb
Welcome to Monsterland – the scariest place on Earth. All guests can interact with real vampires in Vampire Village, be chased by an actual werewolf on the River Run, and walk among the dead in Zombieville.
Wyatt Baldwin, a high school student and life-long movie buff is staring bleakly at a future of flipping burgers. Due to a fortuitous circumstance, Wyatt and his friends are invited to the star-studded opening of Monsterland. In a theme park full of real vampires, werewolves and zombies, what could possibly go wrong?
The story line of Monsterland is really unique, fresh and, I must admit, quite chilling (esp. the werewolf part.)
It’s not scary in the literal sense as such but it does gives the chills at more than one occasion. The descriptions are wildly realistic and the images they paint is worth all the time and money spent on this book. I felt that I was the one visiting the Monsterland with my friends and not the fictional characters. The story is beautifully crafted and the detailing is commendable. Being a paranormal/shapeshifter/horror storyline, the author successfully captured the character backgrounds and successfully added layers to the overall concept.
I enjoyed the book right from the first line right till the very last one. The overlapping of the paranormal and horror genres is commendable because, despite my initial reservations, the author managed to woo me with his amazing story and its execution. It is a job well done on the author’s part.
I felt a connection with each and every character of this book. What seemed to be pointless discussions of monster-obsessed teenagers in the initial pages of the book, made more and more sense as the story progressed and finally when it reached the last act.
I also enjoyed the last connection that the author made between the characters. It’s a well thought out storyline with 3-dimensional characters and layers and layers of different elements.
All the elements blended perfectly well together (except for one little thing- why was Raoul the vamp scared of the zombies!?!? Well, this crossed my mind only for a second before I got caught in the thrill of the moment and my mind moved on to other characters who were literally fighting for their lives (when the story is as good as this, who cares?)
I love myself some badass zombies but this is the first time I actually saw them sympathetically as “victims” and poor sick people who are not someone to be shot or bashed in the head by any/everyone, but a sad bunch of unfortunate people who caught the plague.
By the starting of the end, I was actually feeling sad for all the three creatures- the zombies, the vamps and the werewolves- but by the end, all the other things faded from my mind and I experienced what I really wanted to (and why I really picked this book in the first place) – a complete monster massacre.
Other Stuff
Opening Line: The sky was a sparkling, power blue, mosquitoes droned lazily over the tepid water, frogs croaked messages while they sunbathed on waxy lilypads.
Memorable Quotes:
Wyatt looked back at the main area of the park, feeling uneasy he was being led somewhere he shouldn’t be going.
Memorable Paragraphs:
Wyatt glanced back in his rearview mirror and shifted uncomfortable in his seat, remembering why the sign unnerved him. It bore a stricking resemblance to a picture he has seen in his history book. The words were in German and read Arbeit Macht Frei– Work Makes You Free. It was the entrance to the Auschwitz death camp.
Highlights: Superb concept and amazing execution of all the elements.
Lowlights: None.
Final Thoughts: A must read for paranormal and post-apocalyptic readers.
Author: Wolfe Cotto
Release Date: February 28, 2015
Series: Vampires Of London
Genre: Paranormal Fiction
Edition: Paperback
Pages: 288
Publisher: Black Crow Publishing Limited
Source: Publicity Assistant, Sam
Buy it here: Amazon
Blurb
Edward DeVere, 600 and some year old vampire, resident of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, has been taking it easy.
London is home sweet home and Eddy considers himself a Renaissance man; a bit of a modern day ‘flaneur’. Some would say a ‘slacker’ and a bit of a ‘stoner’. Opinions are divided.
Eddy knows the city like the back of his hand. Life is ordered, predictable and boring. Until someone near and dear disappears and he is left with no choice but to find out why.
It should just be a night’s work for such an ‘old timer’.
But things don’t go as planned.
Eddy’s cosy world starts to fall apart.
Nothing is what it seems.
It’s time to wake up, smell the coffee and roll his sleeves up.
It’s a damn nuisance, he’s exhausted and could really do without all this ‘tom tit’.
But it seems, there’s just no rest for the wicked.
Rating
Review
DNF’ed at page 170. Though I really liked the witty comments and observations of Edward, the writing style of the author really bothered me. The sentence formation is really complex (and at times really weird, what with 5-6 commas in one single sentence itself.) It really distracted me from the plot, which BTW was a little too uninteresting for my taste. At one point (around page 50 or so,) I was wondering what the hell is really going on.
If I would have had free time at my hands I would have tried to at least complete it, but unfortunately, I don’t have even a second to spare. Certainly not for the books that don’t suck me right into it. from the start. But if you are really patient and don’t mind the blabberings of an extremely talkative vampire, then go ahead and give it a try. You might just like this book.
Author: Richelle MeadRelease Date: April 10, 2008
Series: Vampire Academy
Genre: YA | Fiction | Paranormal-Vampires | Contemporary
Pages: 327
ISBN NO.: -
Publisher: Penguin India
Preceded by: Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy #1)
Followed by: Shadow Kiss (Vampire Academy #3)
Author: Richelle Meade
Release Date: August 16, 2007
Series: Vampire Academy
Genre: YA | Fiction | Paranormal |Vampires | Contemporary
Pages: 332
ISBN NO.: 978-0-141-32852-2
Publisher: Penguin India
Followed by: Frostbite (Vampire Academy #2)
Blurb
She must be protected at all times from the fiercest and most dangerous vampires of all – the ones who will never die.
Rose Hathaway is Lissa’s best friend – and her bodyguard.
Now after two years of illicit freedom, they’ve been dragged back inside the iron gates of St. Vladimir’s Academy. The girls must survive in a world of forbidden romances, a ruthless social scene and terrifying night-time rituals.
But above all, they must never let their guard down, lest the immortal vampires take Lissa – forever…
Review
Positives
Vampire Academy is a brilliant and fresh take on Vampires. I absolutely loved the story-line and the characters were out-of-the-world good. Richelle’s writing (in first person) and the subtle plot- development absolutely blew my mind off. This book is definitely a page turner. It’s intriguing plot kept me stuck to it day and night! This book is painstakingly good and I’ve already got it’s sequel issued from my library.
Talking more about the characters I’d like to say that the leads, Rose and Lissa, have super contrasting personalities. On one hand Rose is bad-ass, impatient, reckless and sassy and on the other hand we have Lissa who is classy, delicate, patient and graceful. For me, Rose Hathaway is the best female lead character after Katniss Everdeen. Being a damphir, absolutely nothing can stop her from saving Lissa from even the tinniest of harms! Their friendship and bond were the best thing about the whole story!
This book is what I really needed to rouse my interest, yet again, in the YA genre. It is a must read.
Negatives
I don’t think here’s anything negative to say about this book. The only reason I’m holding back half a star is because unfortunately I happened to watch the movie first, so it kinda killed the suspense for me. Hopefully the next book will get a full 5-stars rating from me.
Conclusion
If you love YA genre, Vampire Academy is definitely for you. I’m already regretting staying away from it for so long, but nevermind, better late than never! I’m very happy that I read it and more than excited to read the next part. Go ahead and get yourself this book, if you haven’t already!
Opening Line: “I felt her fear before I heard her screams.”
Highlights: The fresh take on paranormal genre.
Low-lights: None!
Quotes:
“Taking a deep breathe, I made one of the hardest decisions of my life.
I walked away.”
“I didn’t like having reasonable arguments thrown at me.”
“I had a standing arrangement with God: I’d agree to believe in him—barely—so long as he let me sleep in on Sundays.”
“Screw you,” I told him in a low voice.
“Are you offering?”
“From what I’ve heard, there isn’t much to screw,” I shot back.”
Memorable paragraph:
“Lissa and I had been friends ever since kindergarten, when our teacher had paired us up together for writing lessons. Forcing five-year-olds to spell Vasilisa Dragomir and Rosemarie Hathaway was beyond cruel, and we’d—or rather, I’d—responded appropriately. I’d chucked my book at out teacher and called her a fascist bastard. I hadn’t known what those words meant, but I’d known how to hit a moving target.
Lissa and I had been inseparable ever since.”
The Reading Bud 
