Handlers of Dragons

Title: Handles of Dragons

Author: Kim Cormack

Genre: Fantasy, Adventure

Source: Ebook from author

Rating: 5 out of 5

This is the fourth book in the Children of Ankh series.  Kayn has discovered not only is she a dragon, but she is also Lexi's sister and Seth's daughter.  ALOT for her to handle at once.  She and Zach need to strengthen their bond if he is to be successful as her handler.  Things are going okay for her until Kevin gives her a flower from their childhood and she throws him off a balcony.  Then Lexi kills someone, so as punishment the two dragons and their handlers are sent on a few missions with NO contact with the rest of the clan.  The purpose is for the dragons to bond together and with their handlers.  Things tend to get a little dirty when Abaddon enter the mix along with some other creatures.  Kayn needs to learn how to control not only her dragon powers, but also her conduit and Guardian powers as well.  How is one girl supposed to handle it all?

I have been a fan of Kim Cormack's since the beginning of the series, and have yet to be disappointed with her work.  What can I say that hasn't already been said by myself or other reviewers?  This book picks up where the last one left off with Kayn discovering the truth about her lineage and her powers.  On top of needing to control her thoughts and feelings, Kayn must also learn to control new powers.  This is not a standalone novel, you do need to read the previous novels in order to understand the intricacies of the storyline.

Kim is able to weave together a tale that includes everything from dark humor to action/adventure and even a little romance.  No other author I have read has been able to bring about such humor in regards to two petite women going on a murder spree.  I love that the dragons are two women that on the outside people wouldn't assume are bad-ass, but then they single handedly kill thousands of demons and evil beings.  She also includes humor on various other things, I loved the mention of Kayn thanking someone simply because she was Canadian and that what they do, how could that not bring about a chuckle or two.

I am excited to see what Kim is going to do in the next book with the things that we have found out.  I almost wanted Kayn to get control of at least one of her powers or her unlocking something specific within Grey along with his fire ability.  It feels like there is a lot building up to something grander and more will be revealed in the next book.  I know we are nearing the end of the series as well and I hope Kim will continue to write and tell the story, maybe something from Triad or with the brothers.

If you fancy a good urban fantasy about immortal warriors this is for you.  If you fancy an action adventure with a lot of battles and fighting, this is for you.  Heck I'd say this was the book for anyone.  It's an intense novel that makes for a great read. 

Let There Be Dragons by Kim Cormack

Let There Be Dragons is the third book in Kim Cormack's Children of Ankh series.  Let me say that if you have not started this series yet, or if you need a good series to begin this is it.  Let There Be Dragons picks up right where Enlightenment leaves off.  Kayn has survived the Testing with her clan, but she has come out a different person, she is now a Dragon like Lexy, and Zach is her Handler.  She and Zach need to learn their new roles as they take on jobs and new tasks.  All the while Kayn needs to learn her new Conduit abilities as well.  Let There Be Dragons is full of everything that makes a nothing beyond fantastic, there is action (demon battles), romance (Lexy and Gray, Kayn and Frost, Zach and....).  It is a series that needs to be read, demands to be read.

Kim starts the ball rolling in Sweet Sleep when we are introduced to Clan Ankh, Kayn and Kevin.  Readers grow to love everyone in the story and BAM, Kim throws in a twist.  Enlightenment, we watch Kayn grow with her clan and learn to deal with the loss of Kevin and gain the strength needed to survive the test, the BAM again more twists.  She keeps this momentum in Let There Be Dragons, now we see Kayn in a new, more dangerous role.  Kim has a talent for building up the tension and creating a tone throughout the novel that makes readers want to stop time and just read.  Once I got to the end I seriously wanted to scream because I didn't want it to end.  Kim leaves her readers desperately craving more as Kayn craves energy and hot sauce.

This volume of the series also gives us a bit of a steamy scene between Kayn and Frost, as scene that would put traditional romance novels to shame!  As she builds the general tension between characters and action, she also builds the sexual tension between the two.  While the characters are already well develop throughout the series thus far, Kim finds ways to develop them even more and adds new depth and meaning to them in each installment.  I don't think I have read a series that had such complex and multi-layered characters.  I cannot wait for more from Kim, I am excited to see what she has in store for Clan Ankh, and wonder if maybe there are other versions of the story in the works.  How great would it be if we could have a series that focuses on Kevin, or even Clan Trinity?  hint hint Kim!

Seriously, if you haven't read Sweet Sleep yet, do it.  Begin the journey with the Children of Ankh, I promise you will not be disappointed.  The series just keeps getting better.  This would be a series I could definitely see as a movie franchise.

Enlightenment by Kim Cormack

Enlightenment is the second novel in Kim Cormack's Children of Ankh series.  It picks up where the last one left off right after a major clan battle for Kayn and Kevin.  It focuses on the bonds Kayn must develop with her fellow clan members in order to become stronger.

Kayn has lost the love of her life, and she struggles to let go of his memory.  The rest of the clan members strive to help her move forward and begin the path to Enlightenment.  Kayn and Frost begin a confusing friendship that borders crossing the line into something more.  With Kayn struggles with her feelings for both Kevin and Frost, she must learn to strengthen her abilities and be the Ankh she is meant to become.  When the clans meet for a summit Kayn is faced with a difficult struggle of learning to let go and follow the path she is destined to be on.  Kayn must learn what it takes in order to find her abilities and become "Enlightened" and pass her testing.  Throughout the novel she bonds with all the members of her clan and learns what it means to be a part of a clan.

Kim's follow-up to Sweet Sleep is wow.  I enjoyed reading this novel, though I think I like the first one better.  Enlightenment focused a lot on the clan and their moments of bonding and a sense of becoming one unit rather than each individual person.  Kayn struggles a lot with not only her own feelings but those of Chloe that seem to linger.  I was surprised with some of the revelations made throughout the novel, nothing was predictable.   Kims words simply captivated me and when I couldn't read it like going through withdrawal. 

The first portion of the book seemed to drag on.  The last one left off at an intense moment, i almost expected this one to pick the intense mood right up.  I think the story really began to pick up once the summit began and the three new Ankh members had to relive their Sweet Sleeps.  It was a great way to give us a glimpse into Zach and Melody's background. There is a lot to be said in this novel.  Kayn had to learn how to let go of Kevin, to let go of her past and move on; it was hindering her Enlightenment.   How often does our own past hinders our future? 

The Testing portion of the book felt something akin to "The Hunger Games," but on a more intense level.  I found myself trying to figure out how they were supposed to get out of the crypt and pass the test.   The characters grew more complex and developed in this installment, and I suspect we haven't seen everything there is to see with them.  While Kayn remains a main character the story doesn't primarily focus on her individually but on the Ankh clan as a whole and their relationship together, especially that of Kayn, Melody and Zach.   Zach is a mysterious character for me, I feel as if there is more to him than we've seen so far.

I am excited to see what Kim has in store for us in the next installment and cannot wait to get my hands on it.  I would recommend this to anyone who loves the fantasy genre and give it a 4 out of 5 rating.  What do you have in store for us next Kim?

Sweet Sleep

Title:  Sweet Sleep (Children of Ankh series book 1) by Kim Cormack.
Media source: Kindle
Rating 4.5 out of 5

 

Recommendation:  I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys fantasy novels.

 

Sweet Sleep is a young adult fantasy novel about a young girl who losses her entire family in one night.  When she recovers she finds out there is something special about her and her childhood best friend.  She struggles through accepting who she is and what her life will become.

Kayn and her twin sister couldn't be more different.  

 

Chloe has a way with boys almost magnetism,  whereas Kayn is virtually invisible except to her best friend Kevin.  Kayn and Kevin spend a large amount of time together and on one particular night Kayn begins feeling strange.   After having dinner with Kevin's family  she arrives home to something horrific.   She manages to run from the house only to pursued by the same man who slaughtered her family.   She is found severely injured. After months in a coma she awakens, and learns she is special.  Her and her sister are connected in more ways than one and supernatural clans will be looking for her. 

 

The clan Ankh has claimed Kayn as well as Kevin, who discovered he is a  powerful psychic. Members of the clan try to train Kevin and Kayn quickly for an oncoming battle for Kayn's life.  Along the way the groups discover many secrets; many increase the value of Kayn and Kevin's existences.  What will the future hold for these two young people?   Will they make it to Enlightenment and remain true to who they are?

 

This is an outstanding novel,  I didn't want to put it down.  Correction:  I couldn't put it down.  This is a longer novel, roughly 500 pages, but every one of those pages are needed.  Kim builds the story up in a way I haven't seen in  a long time.  She builds the back story  of Kayn and Kevin thus building the bond the have together as well as with Chloe.   I would have like a little more story on Chloe.   She was a big part of Kayn, but we don't know much about her personality and what else made her the darker one.  Readers get a small glimpse into not only Ankh but the other clans, I am sure the other novels will continue with the story of Ankh.

 

Kayn is an incredible character,   I wanted to see more of her fighting and using skills she has, but I am sure that will come in more novels.  I enjoyed the companionship built through the group of Ankh members as they train with Kayn and Kevin.  Readers see them bonding and becoming Kayn's family.    We see Kayn becoming stronger as well as the clan relying on each other for strength.   Where one was weak another was strong, portraying the importance of teamwork and working together.  I also enjoyed the idea of using crystals for healing and protection.   I hope to see more of that in other novels.  

 

I have a lot of high hopes for upcoming novels,  I cannot wait to begin reading Enlightenment, the second book in the series.  This is definitely a series that needs to be read.