INNOVATIVE ONLINE BOOK TOURS: Book Review/Giveaway - Forbidden Fire, by Kimberly Kinrade

 

 

 

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FORBIDDEN FIRE

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Forbidden Fire

(Forbidden Trilogy #2)

Kimberly Kinrade

Paperback, 270 pages

Evolved Publishing

March 27, 2012

Genres:

Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy,

Young Adult

 

 

From the Goodreads Synopsis

 

 

Sam and Drake may have escaped, but they aren’t free—not with a powerful Seeker after them. As Sam struggles with the ethics of her new powers and embraces a blossoming physical relationship with Drake, Lucy and Luke face challenges of their own.

With forces coalescing inside and outside the Rent-A-Kid dorms, it’s only a matter of time before the fire they started forces each of them to make choices they can’t undo. But will it be enough to save them?

 

 

 

My Review

 

(Note: The author graciously provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)

 

 

This second novel continues the exciting story of Sam, Drake, Lucy, and Luke, four teens with paranormal powers, as they strive to escape from the clutches of the sinister organization known as "Rent-A-Kid". 

 

As in the first novel, Kinrade immediately plunges the reader into the action!  In this second novel, she also gives us more background on her characters, which of course allows us to empathize with them even more. 

 

Sam (I believe this is short for "Samantha", altough this is not mentioned in either this book or the first) and Drake have managed to break out of a 'hospital' that's really a hidden facility for genetic breeding and experimentation.  In the first book, Forbidden Mind, Sam had been impregnated with Drake's genetic material for the purpose of creating a child with superior paranormal powers.  Now she and Drake are on the run, constantly afraid of being captured again.  Together with Brad, Drake's friend, who is a newspaper reporter, they initially make an attempt to let the authorities know what's really going on at the school, where their friends and schoolmates are being trained to serve the organization's clients, and ultimately, to be bred so as to produce more and more powerful paranormally-gifted children.  However, they soon realize the futility of this tactic; Rent-A-Kid has a long arm, and their executives have made sure to make Sam appear to be an escaped mental patient.  So the odds are that no one will believe the fugitives' story. 

 

Meanwhile, things at the school have changed drastically.  A curfew is now being imposed on the kids, and there are guards everywhere.  Whereas, before Sam's escape, the students enjoyed some semblance of freedom, however illusory, now a dictatorship has openly taken over, led by the infamous Mr. Black.

 

This highly-charged story is a conspiracy theorist's dream; there's just so much going on!  Some new characters are introduced, as well.  The most dangerous of them is the Seeker, a mysterious man with incredibly-enhanced powers.  He is the one who is really behind the horribly oppressive changes at the school.  Furthermore, he is actively searching for Sam - with his mind...

 

Kinrade has plenty of twists and turns, making this book just as much of a page-turner as the first one.  Also, the relationship between Sam and Drake deepens, although all is not exactly perfect for them, either.

 

The plot of this novel reveals the full extent of the unethical goals sought by Rent-A-Kid.  These goals are part of the plan laid out by the organization's founder, a ruthless man whose identity is a real surprise to the reader.  I know I never saw this coming! 

 

One of my favorite characters, aside from the main four, is someone I really should have mentioned in my review of Forbiddn Mind: Father Patrick, the elderly Catholic priest who has been a father figure to Drake for many years.  This kindly man has given Drake gentle, non-judgmental guidance in the past, and continues to help him in these new circumstances, which now include Sam and their unborn child.  Furthermore, from the author's description, it seems that Father Patrick may be psychic himself.  He appears to read Drake's mind at one point. 

 

Father Patrick is the sort of person you can sit down and enjoy a calm conversation with.  Rather than condemn, he will listen to you, and offer you advice without making you feel as if you were the world's worst sinner.  Kinrade's characterization here is very realistic, so I'm wondering if the priest is modeled on an actual person.

 

I'm really hoping that it will be Father Patrick who will officiate the wedding ceremony of Drake and Sam, when the time comes for them to marry! 

 

I also have to mention the fact that Kinrade's villains are very well-done.  They're far from being cardboard creations (this is in spite of the fact that the evil doctor, in the first book, was really more of a stereotypical bad guy).  Both the Seeker and Mr. Black each have 'a softer side'.  We can even feel some empathy for them, due to the difficult circumstances they have both endured.  Actually, I have to admit that it's not easy for me to have any good feelings for Mr. Black -- the man is totally emotionless and has no qualms about killing defenseless people if he deems it necessary.  There's just one area in which his emotions come to the surface, though.  It's an area very close to his heart, paradoxically enough.

 

The novel ends on an uncertain note, which, of course, has the purpose of partially preparing the reader for the third and last volume.  I thought it was handled quite well, however.  I certainly didn't get a feeling that it was forced.  The events of the last couple of chapters led to an ending that was, in fact, almost inevitable.  Still, a feeling of hope shines through, and the reader is left with tangible clues regarding the most likely future outcome.

 

Kimberly Kinrade has surely penned another winner!  Sam, Drake, Lucy, and Luke are the new young adult paranormal heroes, and you will cheer them on as they fight to win the freedom to live their lives as they choose, by their own rules, and not those established by an organization masquerading as their benefactor.

 

So be sure to pick up this novel (I hope you've already read the first one), and be prepared to feel the fire!  Be prepared to jump into the revolution!  And, while you're at it, remember that there's another great book coming soon -- Forbidden Life! 

 

   

MY RATING:

 

 

Kimberly Kinrade

Author Bio

 

Kimberly Kinrade was born with ink in her veins and magic in her heart. She writes fantasy and paranormal stories for children, YA and adults and still believes in magic worlds. Check out her YA paranormal novels Forbidden Mind and Forbidden Fire and her illustrated children's fantasy chapter books Lexie World, and Bella World, all on Amazon.

She lives with her three little girls who think they're ninja princesses with super powers, her two dogs who think they're humans and her husband, also known as the sexy Russian Prince, who is the love of her life and writing partner.

NOTE: My married name is Karpov-Kinrade, but my books are published as just Kinrade.

 

 

For a list of her books, check out: http://Amazon.com/author/kimberlykinrade

For a fun fan experience, join the team at I.P.I. at http://IPIAcademy.com

For kids and parents of young kids, join the Lost Kids at http://ThreeLostKids.com

 

 

ONLINE LINKS:

·         Website:  http://KimberlyKinrade.com

·        Twitter: @KimberlyKinrade

·        IPI Twitter: @IPIAcademy

·        Facebook: /KimberlyKinrade

·        IPI Facebook: /IPIAcademy
 

 

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