Review- Tempest Rising

Nicole Peeler
Urban Fantasy
344 pages
Jane True Series #1
Excerpt
Orbit Books


Synopsis:
Living in small town Rockabill, Maine, Jane True always knew she didn't quite fit in with so-called normal society. During her nightly, clandestine swim in the freezing winter ocean, a grisly find leads Jane to startling revelations about her heritage: she is only half-human.

Now, Jane must enter a world filled with supernatural creatures alternatively terrifying, beautiful, and deadly- all of which perfectly describe her new "friend," Ryu, a gorgeous and powerful vampire.

It is a world where nothing can be taken for granted: a dog can heal with a lick; spirits bag your groceries; and whatever you do, never-ever rub the genie's lamp.


Review:
When you read as much Urban Fantasy as I do, and you're about to start a new series, a lot of the times you worry ok I worry that everything is going to sound a little too familiar... especially if there's a vampire involved.  But hallelujah someone give this women a metal or at least an "OMG you rock" tweet, because Nicole Peeler has created a world full of brand new beings/creatures/life-forms each with a totally new set of rules & powers and they each come equipped with amusing personalities.


So, clearly I enjoyed the world Ms Peeler has created for our heroine, Jane True.  You need only look at the cover of Tempest Rising to know it's going to be anything but typical. But the characters she's created are just as rich...and just as original.  Jane begins as a standard protag; slightly isolated and damaged, and definitely a little defeated.   But readers quickly discover that Jane is anything but ordinary.  She's whip-smart and much more self-confident than she gives herself credit for.  And have I mentioned funny?  Jane's inner-monologues are completely giggle worthy without being too "cute".  She's a hero to root for.

In the warm light of day, my evening with Ryu was far less ruined by Stuart's outburst than it had felt like at the time. Instead, I was mostly thinking about the good stuff. Like dancing with Ryu. And holding Ryu's hand. And being in Ryu's arms. And Ryu whispering in my ear. And the brush of Ryu's lips against mine. 

Not to mention my tuna melt had been particularly tasty.

 And that brings us to Ryu.  He's charismatic and charming and readers will instantly hope that he and Jane will hit it off.  He's doting whilst still masculine and compliments Jane's personality perfectly. But he has an air of mystery about him that will keep the reader intrigued and definitely still engaged.  Not to mention the fact that his humor is on par with Jane's.

He grinned at me and I noticed he was carrying a large rectangular box.  He handed it to me and I took it gingerly by its handle.  "I couldn't find a florist," he explained.

"Oh, okay. Thanks. What is it?"

"A lobster."

"A lobster?"

"A lobster."

The story line is not necessarily action-packed along the way {it has a totally kick-ass climax} but Peeler still manages to set a fast paced story regardless.  This lead off book focuses on introducing readers to Jane and her story and I can't wait to see what happens with her next.


Bottom Line:  A fun series opener complete with an original cast of characters and a heroine worthy of a long running series.


4 stars