Review and Giveaway Hunted (The Guardian Legacy #3) by Ednah Walters

I did not know the series when I joined the tour. So I didn’t know that Hunted is actually the 3^rd book of the series! Due to a full schedule I couldn’t read volumes 1 and 2 first, I vigorously starting to read this volume that I will praise to you today. Yes, I will.

The fact that I didn’t read the first volumes helped me to see the author’s talent. She succeeds to give the same importance to the plot and the characters. She builds them without relying on readers’ "reaction" to the previous books and don’t treat them superficial. Without knowing the history of the characters I have come to cherish or loathe them as may be the case, but especially to know them. The same situation is in respect of the action which, though rooted in previous volumes, starts and develop independently. Another plus: the information necessary to informed you, you distraught reader who didn’t take the series from the beginning, are short and to the point. You don’t get a full recall, but you’ll receive just what you need. These recollections have also the gift to make you very anxious to read the volumes you "skipped".

I found various characters, a multitude of cruel angels and good demons. Each species and exemplar is well individualized, with varied and distinct properties. Each character has already made certain choices and now those choices, in one way or another, will influence the new deployment. Though supernatural beings, main and secondary characters have very human emotions: love, hate, resentment, faith, trust and rebellion. The battle between the supreme good and evil will stand in the way of fulfillment of a true love.

Readers often complain of too little presence of the main male character's in favorite series - here Bran. Ednah Walters’ dosage is almost perfect. Bran is momentary present, but when and where it’s need. You don’t feel frustrated that you have waited too long for too little.

The action is well-handled. Whether it's a routine mission, whether it's a real fight or transit scenes something will happen and change the course of events. Friends and enemies alike are watching the main characters, ready to intervene. Although there is some predictability, it does not spoil the pleasure of reading. More than a few times, the author surprises you leaving you sad and sighing after characters that become your loved ones. These losses give the story credibility and increase the tension.

The ending is well chosen and will leave behind heated fans wondering what will happen with Lil and what will do Bran. Or rather, what they can do??

There are some small things that I wanted to be better explained or justified, but I think that in the big picture they will be notice by few. Or, for the fact that they love already the series, they will not care too much. Because yes, there is most likely that you’ll add “The Guardian Legacy” on your favorites’ list, alongside The Mortal Instruments, The Infernal Devices, Vampire Academy or Covenant.

I received the book for review as part of Book Tour - Thank you

Romanian:

Tour Schedule

NU ştiam de serie atunci când m-am înscris în tur. De aceea nu ştiam că Hunted este de fapt volumul 3 al seriei!!! Din cauza unui program prea plin nu am reuşit să citesc mai întâi volumele 1 şi 2, demarând în forţă volumul pe care îl voi lăuda azi. Da, îl voi lăuda.

Faptul că nu am citit primele volume scoate în evidenţă talentul autoarei. Ea reuşeşte şi dă aceeaşi importanţă acţiunii şi personajelor. Le construieşte fără să se bazeze pe „reacţia” cititorilor la volumele anterioare şi nu dă rasol la acestea. Fără a cunoaşte istoria personajelor, am ajuns să le îndrăgesc sau să le detest după cum poate fi cazul, dar mai ales să le cunosc. Aceaşi situaţie este şi în ceea ce priveşte acţiunea care, deşi îşi are rădăcinile în volumele anterioare, ia naştere şi se dezvoltă de sine stătător. Un alt plus: informaţiile necesare pentru a te aduce la curent pe tine cititor aiurit care nu ai luat seria de la capăt, sunt scurte şi la obiect. Nu ţi se face o întreagă rememorare, ci ţi se dă doar ce-ai nevoie. Aceste rememorări au şi darul de a te face foarte doritor să citeşti volumele „sărite”.

Am găsit personaje variate, o multitudine de îngeri cruzi şi demoni buni. Fiecare specie şi exemplar este bine individualizat, cu proprietăţi variate şi distincte. Fiecare personaj a făcut deja anumite alegeri şi acum acestea vor influenţa într-o măsură sau alta noua desfăşurare a acțiunii. Deşi fiinţe supranaturale, personajele secundare şi principale au sentimente foarte umane: dragoste, ură, resentiment, credinţă, încredere şi revoltă. Lupta dintre binele şi răul suprem va sta în calea împlinirii unei iubiri adevărate.

De multe ori cititorii se plâng de prea puțina prezență în seriile preferate a personajului masculin principal, aici Bran. Ednah Walters găseşte un dozaj aproape perfect. Bran este prezent trecător, dar atunci când şi unde trebuie. Nu simți frustrarea că l-ai aşteptat prea mult pentru prea puțin.

Acțiunea e bine condusă. Fie că e vorba de o misiune de rutină, fie că e vorba de o luptă de-a binelea sau de momente de legătură ceva se va întâmpla şi va schimba cursul evenimentelor. Prieteni şi duşmani veghează deopotrivă asupra personajelor principale, pregătiți să intervină. Deşi există o oarecare predictibilitate, aceasta nu strică plăcerea cititului. Mai mult, de câteva ori, autoarea te surprinde lăsându-te trist şi suspinând după personaje ce-ți deveniseră dragi. Aceste pierderi dau credibilitate poveştii şi cresc tensiunea.

Finalul este bine ales şi va lăsa în urmă fanii fierbând întrebându-se ce sa va întampla cu Lil şi ce va face Bran. Sau mai bine zis, ce vor putea face??

Există unele mici lucruri pe care le-aş fi vrut mai bine explicate sau motivate, dar cred că în imaginea de ansamblu nu mulți le vor sesiza. Sau, îndrăgind deja seria, nu le va păsa prea mult. Pentru că da, sunt mari şanse să adăugați “The Guardian Legacy” pe lista preferatelor, alături de Instrumente Mortale, Dispozitive Infernale, Covenant sau Academia Vampirilor.

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Praise
All in all, Hunted is a very enjoyable read, especially for those who enjoy angel/demon books. This one has everything you want in an angel book while still maintaining its own distinct feel. ~TeresaMaryRose

This series is addictive. ~Author Kate Kaynak

AMAZING! There is not enough words to describe how much I loved Hunted. Ednah Walters has outdid herself if that is even possible. ~Megan McDade

About the author:

I grew up reading Nancy Drew and Hardy boys mysteries, hence Stratemeyer influence, before I graduated to Mills & Boons (starting with Janet Daily's Shutter the Sky) and the rest is history. I enjoy good love stories, tingly mysteries and wondrous adventures. When I finished my college and decided to be a stay-at-home mother, I devoured books like they were going out of production, until reading just wasn't enough. So I started to write. I've written picture books, contemporary and romantic suspense, biracial/multicultural books, and finally YA fantasy. Awakened is the first book in The Guardian Legacy series. I'm working on book 2, tentatively named Betrayed. When I'm not writing, I do things with my family, five children or my darling husband of 18 years. I live in a picturesque valley in Utah, the setting for my series.

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Blog Tour Giveaway
$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 4/28/13 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://www.iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
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