1st Place Winner, Fantasy, Royal Palm Literary Award 2014.When fear exceeds understanding, nothing is as it seems…Alone for a millennium, since a human murdered her beloved consort, Ashra, the immortal icrathari queen, rules over Aeternae Noctis, the domed city of eternal night. Her loneliness appears to be at an end when her lover’s soul is reborn in a human, Jaden Hunter, but their reunion … a human, Jaden Hunter, but their reunion will not be easy.
Jaden is sworn to protect his half-sister, five-year-old Khiarra. She is the child of prophecy, destined to end the eternal night and the dominion of the Night Terrors—the icrathari and the vampires.
As Jaden defends his sister from the Night Terrors, Ashra struggles to sustain her crumbling kingdom in the face of enemies without and treachery within. Love may never have a second chance when Jaden stumbles upon Ashra’s secret—the great lie of Aeternae Noctis…
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I received a free arc copy of this boxset from BookSprout in exchange for my honest opinion.
I have reviewed each book separately and combined those reviews for this boxed set.
Eternal Night is the first story in the boxed set. Named appropriately because humans have been forced to live life without the sun. They are plagued with fear of vampires and icrathari, who take their children when they turn 5 years old. This is believed to be so they can feed and out of fear for the child foretold to end the eternal nights. There is more going on than they know.
This book is a unique story of what life is like after war devastates Earth. Jade Kerrion weaves a tale that is captivating and tragic. For Ashra, the icrathari leader, and her 3 icrathari allies, it is an eternal burden. For the humans, it’s doing all they can to save their children from the Night Terrors and surviving.
I enjoyed the new world Kerrion created. I liked the world-building and depth of characters. The story sucked me in and I was lost in Aeternae Noctis. The pacing worked well with the story. I do not recall adult language, but there was an adult scene, though not explicit, it was there. There was good conflict and several fights. The battle imagery was great…maybe this should be a movie.
I look forward to the next story with hopes that it will be just as good if not better. The book ends in a way that brings closure and evokes curiosity for those who want more.
Eternal Dawn
This is the second book in the Aeternae Noctis series. The story is about Siri, the “brainy” icrathari who has a secret that she has kept hidden from all but Lucas, a vamp. Rafael, the human herbalist peaks Siri’s curiosity first by how he handles the cullings of 5 yr olds and then with his lack of fear towards the Night Terrors.
The story is engaging and well written. It is written in dual POV of Siri and Rafael. I liked Rafael’s character and empathized with the hand dealt to him and the way he chose to deal with it. Some of the issues with the main characters are typical in most romance stories. But the unique issues urged me to read faster and find the ending. There were a couple of things that happened that I felt were somewhat brushed over rather than truly dealt with (no details due to spoilers). There are several “time jumps” in the story but it doesn’t cause confusion. Ms. Kerrion has created a post-apocalyptic world that grabs your attention and holds you until the end.
I look forward to Tera’s story.
Eternal Day is the final book in the Aeternae Noctis Trilogy. This story is about the warlord Tera and Erich, the immortali who has it out for her. We find out that Tera created Erich, who was an artist and poet, but Erich doesn’t remember much of his life before becoming a vampire. What he does know is that Tera turned him and left him; condemning him to live underground in a sort of hell. He wants her to pay for destroying his life. This book connects all the pieces to bring the full picture. I had several wonderings while reading this story and by the end I had answers. Tera’s choices and Erich’s reactions fuel this journey.
I recommend this set to anyone who likes clean reads with action (there are blood and death), with a shot of romance that doesn’t overwhelm the awesomeness of the plot. I would allow my teens to read this and I would recommend this to students who like post-apocalyptic and paranormal reads.
There was plenty of action in this book as truths are revealed and choices are made that will impact all who exist. Jade Kerrion creates worlds and characters that cause reality to fall away, even if just for a few hours.
Nocturne is the final book in this collection. It is the bonus story of Yuri and gives a little more insight into Erich’s story as well. The language was more abrasive in this story and there was lots of action because the story details the revolt lead by Yuri. This story, like all the stories, is engaging and flows with the other books (other than the language…unless I just don’t remember seeing adult language. The language wasn’t overly used but it was used to show conflict and aggression.
Collectively this set is 4.5 stars for me.
Wow!! Love This Series!!
I’m so glad that I was able to read the box set and the entire story! Phenomenal characters and incredible world building, this author does not disappoint!! A definite addition to your must read pile!!
Eternal Night. “Your love found me.”
“We are the firstborn of the Earth, the only true immortals. If we do not protect the Great Mother and the life she cradles, who can or will?” – Ashra
Ashra, Siri, Tera, and Elsker are the icrathari; the immortal guardians of an ancient Earth. A thousand years have passed; the Earth lies barren, devoid of vegetation, scoured by relentless winds and scorching sun. But there is still life, however fragile, upon its worn and scarred surface… Aeternae Noctis, the domed city survives… For now…
For centuries the humans captive within the domed city have been preyed upon by vampire and icrathari alike. But the birth of Khiarra, the Foretold One, has given rise to hope within the human population: hope that the reign of terror is coming to an end. Malum Turris, the tower of the vampire, just fall!
“That voice, sultry and low, was like black satin wrapped around a razor-sharp blade. Ashra. Her face, more dream than memory, flashed through his mind. For five years, since Khiarra’s birth, he had dreamed of her, a slender woman dancing beneath the light of the crescent moon. Waves of silver hair framed a face of ethereal beauty. Her golden eyes sparkled, gentle with love and sweet humor, as she looked at him.” – Jaden
But Khiarra was taken, along with her half-brother Jaden, beneath the light of the full moon. Now Jaden must find and save Khiarra before it’s too late. Deep within the bowels of Malum Turris, Jaden searches… And finds Ashra.
But what Jaden expects and what happens next are beyond his imagination of understanding. Ashra not only doesn’t try to stop Jaden, Ashra delivers his sister back to him, and sets them free… These are not the actions of a demon, a monster….
“We are not done. Curse you, Jaden, and damn the priceless soul you carry in you. I would never have given you a chance otherwise.” – Ashra
“How could so much light reside with darkness, so much good entwine with evil? He growled low in his throat, turned, and slammed the palm of his hand against a wall. What are you, Ashra? Demon or angel?” – Jaden
Jaden is stymied: Ashra is stunning, yet a monster. She and her kind steal the children, yet only to put them to “sleep.” Ashra’s claims of being one of the guardians of Earth, of being humanity’s ” protector” is more than he can accept or believe; and yet…
I was mesmerized by this book. When I had to put it down, the characters and the setting kept running through my mind. It is a novel concept, not at all what you think a story with vampires will be. The twists in the plot take you on a roller coaster ride. Jade Kerrion writes brilliant prose and the setting became very real to me as I read. This is the first of a trilogy. I have read all three books and each of them offers a different slant but continues the story seamlessly. I recently re-read them all, I liked them that much!
Not my normal type of story, but it was recommended to me and I say thank you. I found it to be an intriguing story with many twists and turns as the characters grew (and in some cases, showed their true colors). Lots of action and drama. I could not put it down.
Looking forward to more of Jade’s stories, including this series.