Russian Roulette is an award-winning novel in Young Adult Urban Fantasy genre. “I couldn’t put it down! Every chapter left me wanting more!” – Readers’ Favourite Review.Who could guess that one brush of a fingertip over a shimmering soul-string could flip your world upside down and inside out? Nineteen-year-old Helena’s life changes when her spirit enters the Angel Realm in search of her father. … life changes when her spirit enters the Angel Realm in search of her father. But, things don’t go as planned. Against her guardian angel’s warnings, she binds her soul to a vampire—a creature she thought only existed in horror movies.
Lucious has spent his immortality looking for the monsters who killed his sire. The last thing he needs is to be vulnerable because of a bond with a reckless girl. Yet, he sees how he can turn this to his advantage. Believing that Helena possesses great power, he plans to use her against the Council as a bargaining chip.
When Helena meets the gorgeous and also terrifying vampire with whom she’s now stuck sharing an emotional bond, she realises that her life will never be the same. Despite fighting against Lucious’s manipulative ways, she can’t deny their attraction.
As their desire for each other intensifies, she needs to know if she can trust him. After all, her life and soul are on the line.
For readers who enjoyed The Vampire Diaries by L. J. Smith, Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyer, or A Shade of Vampire by Bella Forrest.
HELENA HAWTHORN SERIES:
– Alexander: Memoirs (Prequel & A Vampire In Love Book 1)
– Russian Roulette
– Demon Gates
– Crumbling Control
– Desired (Spin-off Novella)
– Monochrome Interview (A Vampire In Love Book 2)
– Fated Origins
– Cherished (Spin-off Novella)
– Dark Affiliations
– Blood Witch
– Twisted Truths
more
May Freighter’s Russian Roulette:
Closeted, naive Helena seems normal, except for the guardian angel following her. It is immediately apparent that protection cost her, since she is ill-prepared to find a job or keep her friends while starting college. At the same time, she asks her guardian to help her find out about her father. While we learn nothing about him, Helena is compelled to touch a red string which ties her to a vampire.
Strangely enough, I read this novel years ago, and remembered only this one scene: a heaven filled with colored strings for each soul in existence. Obviously, her Guardian Michael is appalled at her interference, and he is probably severely punished behind the scenes later, leaving her without her only source of information in the world. Helena later meets the vampire [Lucian] and his friend [Alexander] while searching for a job. Things go horribly wrong and her best friend Andrew dies. Helena asks Lucian to turn him, and he demands her in exchange. This is not as bad as you would think, since he doesn’t force himself on her. He merely sees her potential and wants to watch her.
Unfortunately for both of them, Lucian has been single-mindedly pursuing the disappearance of his Maker, and I get the impression of a rich playboy who can gallavant all over the world without extra obligations. The only reason he can pursue his investigation is due to Alexander, the owner of Russian Roulette club. Alexander is the true power, since he pretty much takes care of all the details for Lucian, including taking care of Andrew.
Guardian angel Michael manages to break the bond between Helena and Lucian, but they don’t stay separated long, and Helena becomes the pawn traded between vampires. But this is not the reason Michael was sent to watch her; she is pursued by a demon. Her string starts out white, which is a mystery color, but the clashes with the demon and Lucian turn it pink, then gray…and Michael is powerless to save Helena.
I feel that Helena is the bullet the side characters are tossing around, waiting for an explosion. Clueless and scared, she ultimately does explode and goes to trial for protecting herself….and she still has to deal with the demon. Yes, the ending leaves a lot of unanswered questions. Yes, I am putting this back on my “Would read again in a heartbeat” shelf. I could not stop thinking about the story.
Is it a romance? Maybe. Kinda. Romance is a subplot, but the real action lies in the drama. Is it a coming-of-age novel? Yes. But not one I would ever see (LOL).
I read the whole thing with some difficulty. This may have been a better story with some changes and touch up. The word “populated” is used too many times for example. It almost felt like the author was trying to stuff as many different types of paranormal into this book as possible, taking it from an interesting read, to a tried too hard one.
A unique read. I honestly haven’t read one like it before.This had a promising start, however the plot was all over the place, nothing made sense which made it hard to read. It seemed as if there were multiple story lines all mixed together.
This is one with potential, but its a long way from a best seller. Made it to page 100 and then I gave up. To much unnecessary mentioning of things and descriptions of how she pours coffee for example, that does nothing for the story, in fact, in my opinion it takes away from a possible great story. i don’t care how she walked, she walked, that is enough. I was really disappointed because this sounded nice. This had so much potential to be a great book, written all wrong and messy. Jumbled and everywhere all at once.
I waded through this mess. It’s bland, the characters are so unimpressive I could not keep Andrew and another one straight. What a muddle. Do. Not. Recommend.
I did finish, I may read the next one if I’m bored but I doubt it…..
I read the whole thing with some difficulty. This may have been a better story with some changes and touch up. The word “populated” is used too many times for example. It almost felt like the author was trying to stuff as many different types of paranormal into this book as possible, taking it from an interesting read, to a tried to hard one.
What a fantastic start to a new series! Vampires and Angels!! This story has it all, humor, adventure, love, and a great heroine. I absolutely love Helena. She is a fantastic character and I am looking forward to seeing where her adventures take her in future books and how her character develops. I am also excited to see what happens with Luscious!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I’ve read several books written by May Freighter; she has done a great job at writing a good book; she is becoming one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to read more of books her books.
The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.
I loved the chemistry between the characters.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
Russian Roulette by May Freighter is the first book in the Helena Hawthorne series. In this book, Helena a college student with a guardian angel named Michael moves out of her childhood home to live in an apartment with her best friends Andrew and Laura. Within a week of moving out she manages to get herself entangled with a vampire named Lucious. This is the beginning of a great many scary situations she finds herself in and the death and change of Andrew from human to vampire. This is a very entertaining story that I was unable to put down. I recommend this book to anyone looking to read about vampires set in a unique vampire world. You will love this book as much as I do. Russian Roulette is a world full of vampire suspense and mystery.
*I recieved this book free from the author for my honest opinion*
**Trigger warnings, this book contains some scenes that may make some uncomfortable**
I am LOVING this story! Vampires, and witches, and angels!! I enjoyed that there was lots of action, and no parts in which I felt dragged on.
Lucius is gloriously delicious, and I can’t wait to see his and Helena’s bond become more and more romantic. Who will save who?
The demon clearly isn’t anywhere close to giving up. Will Helena be able to hold out? Will Lucius keep her stable? Will she get to see Andrew again? Or will Lucius’ jealousy keep them apart?
I can’t wait to see where things are headed. On to book 2!
Helena us not your average girl, you could probably ask her guardian angel about that. After Michael her guardian angel brings her to the angel realm her life takes a turn no one expected. Her journey to search for her fathers winds up with her binding herself to a vampire named Lucious. Now they must find a way to work together with this bond or risk her losing her soul and life. The world and story line for the book were well created. Looking forward to continuing this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I had no idea what I was getting into with this book. It’s familiar in that it’s witches and vampires, but that’s where the similarities stop. This story has a unique perspective on magic and the supernatural creatures that populate this world that feels very different from just about anything else I’ve read. The story kept me glued to the pages to the point where I had to finish it in a single sitting. I love that even though our leading characters are facing off against awesomely powerful foes, they themselves don’t have access to similar powers. Helena, Lucious, and Alexander have to rely on their wit, charm, and ability to create alliances in order to survive. There are still lots of unknowns here that make me eager to dig in to the next book in the series.
This book is packed with adventure. Helena is bravely faces challenges at every corner after being exposed to the supernatural world. I enjoyed how well developed the characters were written and watching them “grow” with the story.
And the story of Alexander and his family and their trials and tribulations and loves and heartbreaks and betrayals continues with this first book in the Helena Hawthorn series by May Freighter. For readers who like their vampires to act almost human, then these are the books for you, but remember, there is always a lot of darkness and evil and grisly scenes to read. Am already looking to load the next book in the series to my TBR file. (05/19/2018 – This is a voluntary review of this book.)
Helena was just a normal, if somewhat awkward, college kid trying trying to get through life, but all of that changes one day when she convinces her guardian angel to help her find her father. What she finds instead is a world of trouble. Through an accidental connection to a vampire she is sucked into a treacherous life where everyone has their own motive for wanting to be near her and she doesn’t know whom she can trust.
This book is everything you could want in a paranormal adventure! There is an exciting mystery, danger, intrigue, and a budding romance, all while our heroine is learning who she is.
I’m hooked on this series now, and I’ll definitely be continuing on.
I really enjoyed this book. So much so that I immediately looked for the next one in the series. Unfortunately for me it hasn’t been released yet. Which actually turned into a good thing for me as I’ve discovered another series by May Freighter that I’m enjoying as well! I still can’t wait for the sequel to this one.