Callie has spent her life moving towns every four months in a bid to “stay off the grid.” Her only family is a paranoid mother who believes there’s a race of supernatural beings out there actively searching for Callie. A race who could destroy Earth if they get their hands on her. Callie’s never seen one thing to suggest there’s any truth to her mom’s insane ramblings, and at the age of eighteen … of eighteen now, she’s grown numb to her reality – she’s never going to have a normal life.
That is, until they move to New Orleans. The moment Callie steps foot into the Quarter, hears the jazz music, feels the soul of the city, the cold shell she’s built to protect herself starts to thaw.
Then they come for her.
Turns out her mom’s stories are quite real, and whatever happens, Callie’s empty world will never be the same again.
Reading order of the Secret Keepers series:
House of Darken
House of Imperial
House of Leights (releases 1st August 2018)
House of Royale (releases 1st September 2018)
more
**********Contains Spoilers**********
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I loved the chemistry between Callie & Daniel right from the second they met. Callie is completely bada*se especially going up against Daniel. Man her inner monologues are funny. Laous ends up abducting Callie after he shoved the slither of Starslight Stone into Daniel so it knocked him off the system so his powers stopped working. In trying to get Callie’s blood he ends up slicing up her neck and Daniel finds and saves her the only way he could by binding her soul to the House of Imperial and to him, so she has to be close to him and also spend part of her time in Imperial to recharge her. Total Hades and Persephone vibes. Man. This book had me laughing and then at another moment I was crying. I loved the instant connection between Callie and Emma and that Emma is slowly getting her wish of the Secret Keepers having a special bond kind of like sisters, just like Daniel, Lexen, Chase and Xander are brothers. I loved getting a snippet of the House of Leights and how the Galinta protect their land and move around where needed, like the branches moving to form a walkway since they all live up in the trees. I thought it was cool reading about the pool in the trees and that the legreto in the House of Leights has special properties so it forms kind of like togs so everything you want covered is. Laous is a d*ckhead and deserves to get what’s coming to him after all the pain and suffering he’s caused everyone all for power. I wonder what’s going to come of Rao, Daniel’s brother who he’d thought was dead since he went missing in the cascading justices but he’s alive and actually working with Laous as he was told that he’s Laous’s son and that it has to be a secret but he’s actually Laous’s nephew. Laous must’ve wanted Rao all these years for a reason and I’m looking forward to seeing what happens in the next couple of books. Yes, Rao did hit Callie while she was in Laous’s custody but all he was trying to do was protect her. I’d definitely recommend this book, series and author to everyone.
House of Darken was my first book I’ve read of Jaymin Eve, so I’m still getting used to her writing style. I was therefore surprised when I started reading and House of Imperial is written from the second Secret Keeper’s point of view, Callie. It threw me for a loop for a little bit. I still enjoyed the story, and Eve did a great job of using a new perspective to recap some highlights for the reader, without having to reiterate every aspect of this new world she’s created. She also brilliantly builds to the story by showing us more of the other houses and doesn’t limit it just to Imperial; although it’s obviously the main focus. The way she added new details to this Secret Keeper world made it really enjoyable to read.
Although Callie is my new favorite character, she did end up falling in love awfully quickly despite her rough character. And my main complaint was the common theme where Daniel starts out by “rescuing” Callie, only to let her go for a bit, and has to rescue her again and again. As a plotline, it got to be a bit tedious. We do get to see Callie become a bit of a badass with her skills and new abilities which is welcome, but I wish the story was a bit more linear.
I’m happy the series is now offered as one large omnibus for a reasonable price, so I’m able to plow right on to the next book in the series. And I now know to expect a new perspective as I jump into book 3.
This is the second in the Secret Keepers series. It starts much faster than the first book, as there’s not a whole lot of laying back story in this book. Another fantastic book from this author. Callie is so feisty, with a backbone of steel. She’s strong and independent, but she still accepts when she needs help. Her and Daniel have a fun and lively dynamic. Personally, I don’t think there’s any criticisms worth noting in this book, certainly none to take away stars on.
Great book! A must read. Will not disappoint.
Emotive & Drama Filled Read!!
Callie has been been brought up by her Mum. She shows her no love, care or other emotions except when instilling her with fear, suspicion and hatred towards a race of ‘aliens’ that’s Callie is certain don’t even exist!! Her Dad is dead & she never knew him. They have moved from place to place as long as she can remember. They never stay anywhere longer than 5 months
Callie is currently living in New Orleans & for the first time in her life she actually feels alive The Music & vibe of the French Quarter give her a feeling of home somehow!! She’s trained in numerous martial arts since she was very young, it’s the only activity her paranoid Mum allows. She’s on her way home after shopping and bumps into a guy from her gym, yet again, She doesn’t like it as he seems to always find her, it’s setting off her alarm bells for trouble, but she loses him Then when she gets home her Mum is missing but a very tall & stunningly beautiful man is there saying he wants to protect her, That’s when her life changes forever…..
Callie & Daniel, Overlord of the House of Imperial, are both quite emotionally broken people who have suffered a lot!!! They deserve happiness so it’s a real shame Laous is dead set on killing her. I’m not ashamed to admit I bawled like a baby during a certain scene!!
I think I actually enjoyed this installment a bit more than book 1. I suppose as there was less explaining necessary the story seemed more focused Roll on 1st August for book 3
(Read using Kindle Unlimited)
Debbie, 1970, UK
House of Imperial by Jaymin Eve a majestic five-star read. This is the second book in Secret Keeper series and they just go from strength to strength. Jaymin Eve I don’t know how you write woman with so many amazing qualities, and such a love of coffee and Converse, it’s just the little things that make her that much more adorable. Callie feels like she has come home when she finds herself in New Orleans, but is it the place, or someone else who’s there? The house of Imperial will break her and shape her, as Callie will face many battles; the question is will she win the battles or the war? The Secret Keepers are a bunch of great women and we have only met two. I can’t wait to meet the next two. All I can say is how long till book three? As I really need book three in my life!!