Icarus

The Kindred

By: J. S. Chancellor

Narrated by: Rachel Anslover

Don't get me wrong; immortality does have its perks. Take dieting for example - kind of hard to do when you've only got two choices: fresh blood and slightly less fresh blood. The media makes it all out to be glamorous. Romantic, even. But the books, movies and witty television shows have it wrong. Especially the ones that make a big to-do about not being wrong (you know, the ones that spell vampire Vampyr, like it's original).And don't think for a second that I was turned in some amazing, soul-binding, body-meshing way either. I don't think my libido is damaged enough to forget that kind of rendezvous. Though, to be honest, I don't recall anything about it. As soon as you're turned, as soon as anyone is turned, the powers that be rush in like witness protection agents and whisk you off, never to see your family or friends again. Your life changes in ways you never imagined that it could.

Like the fact that I was kidnapped last night. Totally didn't see that coming. Not being the Covenant-level assassin that I am (did I mention that already? I didn't get much of a choice in that either - the profession, I mean). Oh, and get this… the creeps who grabbed me claim that my mentor/should-have-kept-it-professional boyfriend Trinity is the vampire equivalent to the anti-Christ.

Nice. And to think it's only Tuesday.

But wait, it gets better. See, there is one fact about vampirism that everyone gets correct - our bodies can't biologically process natural light. Past that, all I know is that if I don't partake of my usual dose of Icarus every seven days (provided via injection by the powers that be), I'll lose my existence as I know it. It allows me to bask in the sunlight, keeps us from exploding into flames and I've heard rumors that it's what makes us immortal. You know, little things.

Now, since Head Creep removed the dosing disc from my arm, whether I had anything to do with it or not, I'm guilty of betraying High Coven. This fact not only sucks (pun intended), it means I've been condemned to death. An assassin… condemned to death. Seems like kind of shitty deal if you ask me.

I don't care that Head Creep is hot enough that he gives Christian Bale a run for his money. He claims that Icarus is part of some massive conspiracy, that vampires are a perverse mutation of beings from another universe, and that Trinity (along with some dark army he's supposedly in charge of) plans to exterminate the human race. Of course, he says this will occur in less than a week. And damn, wouldn't you know he'd kidnap me on day six of my dose?

©2011 J. S. Chancellor / Rhemalda Publishing (P)2012 J. S. Chancellor / Rhemalda Publishing

Great story, but needed a good editing.

If you could sum up Icarus in three words, what would they be?

Crazy amazing heroine!

What did you like best about this story?

Jessica. I just love her! Her wit is just great, love her devotion to her family, and did I mention that wit? Too cool.

What does Rachel Anslover bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Really great, distinguishable voices.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

You bet!

Any additional comments?

My biggest problem with the story is the length. I felt there were too many issues. Jessica overcomes this problem, then the next. Then the next. Then the next. I think if the writer would've cut out one or two of the issues, it would make for a better book. There is nothing worse than thinking, it's not over yet? All in all though, great read!

The opposite of everything in its genre

For those of you who prefer your vampires to be sparky, sarcastic, cliché-repellant, and kick-a**, look no further than Jessica Slate. She also has a pretty good love life, which helps her be anything but a woeful damsel torn between lovers, or chaste until she can decide. Yeah, that's definitely not this book. This book turns vampire novels on their heads and pokes them with a stick. It's like a fantasy/adventure/romance story, but somehow still a vampire novel despite defying everything else that drags down the genre. It really is like JS Chancellor read hundreds of vamp books, watched a ton of bad sci-fi flicks, then decided to write a book that succeeds in avoiding, and frequently poking fun at (and sometimes outright mocking) everything that makes your eyes roll at the cheesiness, all without taking itself too seriously. It still has its fair share of weighty moments, but the natural tension of a good story, regardless of genre, is present, but hand in hand with what can only be described as good fun.