Origin: An Ancient Blood Prequel

Audiobook Review: This is a prequel to the Ancient Blood Series. This story is amazingly dark, well written, and well developed. Warin, Aleric, and Thea are great, strong, and intriguing characters. The world building is original, and the storyline is intriguing, and captivating. This is a great introduction to this Series. David Brenin did a great job with the narration. Now, I need the next book in the Series, Wicked Soul!

ABSOLUTELY CAPTIVATING!!!
Title: Original
Series: Ancient Blood
Author: Nora Ash
Designation: Book 0.5, Series Prequel, Novella, NOT A STANDALONE, Cliffhanger Ahead #paranormal #fantasy #supernatural #darkromance #vampires #witches
Reading Platform: Kindle Edition
My Rating: Five Sinfully Delicious Stars*****
Oh my! Oh my! Oh my! I’m literally bouncing in my seat with joy! I love, love, love Origin, the prequel to a brand new paranormal/supernatural romance series entitled Ancient Blood by the amazingly talented Nora Ash. I’ve been a fan since reading her deliciously dark Demon’s Mark Series four years ago, which was her first foray into the world of erotic paranormal romance, and have followed her blossoming career as Ash spread her wings and successfully tackled other subgenres. With the release of Origin, Ash has returned to her roots, and I couldn’t be happier! Don’t get me wrong; I love everything she writes, but no one writes dark paranormal romance like Nora Ash! Now, let me tell you why! Ash is a gifted storyteller and skilled wordslinger who excels at creating spellbinding storylines with vividly depicted worlds, then populating them with compelling characters who literally explode from the pages and capture your imagination as well as your heart. And this book/series is no exception!
Origin is a riveting, fast-paced paranormal tale filled to the brim with spine-tingling danger, chilling suspense, sinister machinations, heart-wrenching angst, explosive passion, and seductive romance. The narrative is beautifully written in the third person with multiple perspectives. The dialogue is smart, well-executed, and flows effortlessly. But without a doubt, my favorite component of every Ash story is her intriguing cast of well-developed characters, always flawed but always imperfectly perfect. I was immediately fascinated by the three protagonists and what role each would play in the progression of the story. And again, Ash didn’t disappoint! There’s nothing better than a well-written antihero, and Ash pens some of the best I’ve ever read, and that’s saying a lot since I’m an old codger whose favorite vampire book of all time is Bram Stoker’s Dracula which I’ve read several times since discovering it 50 years ago. Yeah, I’m that old and still passionate about the written word! As usual, I digress, so to wrap up comments, there are 5 questions I always ask myself after completing a book. First, did I like this story? No, I LOVED it and can hardly wait to read the first book of the series, Wicked Soul, which I’ve already preordered. And FYI, just a reminder, Origin is not a standalone and does end with a cliffhanger. Second, was there anything I didn’t like? Honestly, not a darn thing! Like everyone else, I always want instant gratification and would love to already have the next book of the series in my hot little hands right now. Thankfully, it’s scheduled for release February 10, 2018, and I’ve already preordered my copy. Third, would I recommend this book? You bet and I am, but only for adults. It’s novella length, coming in around 150 pages, and a relatively quick read, but it is a dark romance with some violence and explicit sex. Fourth, will I read this author again? I think I’ve already answered this question but just to be clear – ABSOLUTELY! And finally, was I entertained? Completely! I was glued to my seat, white knuckling my reader with my heart fluttering wildly in my chest as the pages flew as quickly as the time. Fabulous entertainment and an awesome read!

Warin suffered nearly a hundred years of torment and pain at the hands of the Ancient who stole his humanity and made him a vampire. But when his Master embraced another, Warin refused to allow his new blood brother to suffer his fate and saved them both by murdering their Sire. Warin and his blood brother Aleric spent the next 200 years succumbing to bloodlust and answering to no one while sowing a trail of violence, death, and destruction across the continent of Europe with no regret nor remorse. For almost 3oo years, Warin lived with no hope of escaping the darkness, believing it impossible to satisfy the bloodthirsty beast inhabiting his cold, unfeeling body, until one fateful night while raiding a small village and killing its residents, he sensed something he’d never before encountered – something different, something unusual, something he didn’t understand, yet something he couldn’t ignore. But it wasn’t something, it was a someone – an ordinary young woman named Thea who called to him, whose very existence sang to his heart. And for the first time in his almost 300 years, Warin didn’t want to drink and kill his prey – he wanted to keep her. But would she be his salvation or his downfall? We’ll see!