The Originals: The Loss by Julie Plec - Review

Title: The Originals: The Loss (The Originals #2)
Author: Julie Plec
Source: Amazon Vine
Genre: Historical Urban Fantasy
Length: Novel
Release Date: March 31, 2015
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Rating - 4
Sexual - 2

Family is power. The Original vampire family swore it to each other a thousand years
ago. They pledged to remain together always and forever. But even when you're immortal, promises are hard to keep.

After a hurricane destroyed their city, Klaus, Elijah and Rebekah Mikaelson have rebuilt New Orleans to even greater glory. The year is 1766. The witches live on the fringes in the bayou. The werewolves have fled. But still, Klaus isn't satisfied. He wants more. He wants power.

But when Klaus finally finds a witch who will perform a spell to give him what he desires most, she secretly uses Klaus to unleash a curse; one that brings back hundreds of her ancestors; and begins a war to reclaim New Orleans. As the siblings fight off the attack, only one thing's for certain; the result will be a bloodbath.

Things don't look so good in the Mikaelson family at the end of book one, but they are looking a tad bit better at the beginning of The Loss.  Rebekah has moved on from the loss of her love and is enjoying her "life" again.  But Klaus - always the brooding type - refuses to accept the fact that his love is gone.

In typical Klaus fashion, that I've grown to love to hate, he takes off on his own path and finds a way to get what he wants.  But, as always, it comes with a price that he doesn't realize. Soon the family finds themselves under attack by strange undead zombie like creatures.  And every night there are more of them.  Instead of banding together the siblings really fragment and go in three different directions here.  While I expected Klaus to do his own thing and not really give a crap, I was surprised to see it from the other two, especially the oh so mature Elijah.

Over all this was a very exciting addition to their history.  I really enjoyed seeing just how all the witch/werewolf/vampire rivalries got started and their affect on the lives of the people of New Orleans.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

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More from The Originals by Julie Plec

Jasmyn's Review of The Rise (The Originals #1)

Have you watched Vampire Diaries or The Originals?  What do you think of the spin off and now a book series?

Review: The Originals: The Rise (Originals #1) by Julie Plec

Title: The Originals: The Rise (Originals #1)
Author: Julie Plec
Source: Amazon Vine
Genre: Historical Paranormal
Length: Novel
Release Date: January 27, 2015
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Rating - 4
Sexual - 1

Family is power. The Original vampire family swore it to each other a thousand years
ago. They pledged to remain together always and forever. But even when you're immortal, promises are hard to keep.

Arriving in New Orleans in 1722, Original vampire siblings Klaus, Elijah and Rebekah Mikaelson believe they've escaped their dangerous past. But the city is lawless, a haven for witches and werewolves unwilling to share territory. The siblings are at their mercy…especially after Klaus meets the beautiful and mysterious Vivianne. Her impending marriage is key to ending the war between the supernatural factions—and Klaus's attraction to her could destroy the uneasy alliance. As Elijah works toward securing a piece of the city for his family, and Rebekah fights her unexpected feelings for a French captain, will Klaus's volatile desires bring their world crashing down—and tear them apart for good?

This paranormal story allowed me to indulge in my guilty pleasure - The Originals.  I love their story even more than I love Vampire Diaries.  It will definitely help to have watched parts of the shows to understand the basic history and lore behind the Mikaelson family, but if you haven't you can still just enjoy the story.

The Rise really highlighted each sibling's strongest personality trait - almost too much so.  Elijah was the controlling planner, Klaus was the hot-headed impulsive one, and Rebekah was just sort of lost because she cares too much about everything.  I think she was my greatest disappointment.  She has become a much stronger person since this story took place and I was sad not to see that part of her character more.

It was fun to watch their beginnings in New Orleans and see how the start of all the fueds between the various species began.  This is a must read for fans of the series.  It ties in well with what I've seen of the series and really opens up the family's past, making how they act now even more exciting.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

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