Hey everyone and a very happy Tuesday evening to you all! I'm finally catching up on all the reviewing I need to do and have another awesome review for you tonight. A few months ago I met tonight's author via another blogger who was promoting the first novel in this series. I thought it sounded interesting, took the bait, and am now hooked! Who am I talking about? Becca Vincenza! Never heard of Becca? Well that's okay because by the time I'm done raving you will be rushing out to get your copies of her reads just as I was. I read her first novel
Damaged a couple of months ago and have not posted my review yet. I knew that it was actually the second book (chronologically) in the series so I wanted to get the 'novella' out of the way first! Before we get to my thoughts, here's a bit about the novel and our author, Becca Vincenza:
Author Note: This book takes place before and during Damaged, it can be read before, but I strongly urge that this be read AFTER Damaged. (this isn’t a gimmick or anything, the way the story is set it does do spoilers for Damaged)
Xavier is set to protect the dying races. As a fierce gargoyle warrior, he isn't meant to love deeply.
Drake is the last of his kind, and survival isn’t easy.
Xavier recognizes Drake as his true mate the first time they meet. However, Drake’s tormented past has led him to the wrong woman. Xavier must do what he can to save Drake from the choices he’s made. If Drake’s resentment, fears, and stubborn denial can be overcome, they’ll have a love that could bridge the races.
This isn’t a story of redemption. This is their story.
Warning: This is technically an adult book. There are exploit scenes of sex, torture, and violence. This isn’t meant for readers under the age of 18. Please note this is a Male/Male Romance.
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Becca Vincenza
Becca Vincenza lives in wonderful Michigan. She has a love for Skittles, rainbows, Star Wars, and reading about hot men. When she’s not wearing her author hat, she’s working to pay off her student loans for her recently acquired English degree. She recently released the first book in her Rebirth Series and is set to release the second book before the beginning of summer.
Becca is also the head reviewer @ The Violet Hour Book Reviews
FIND BECCA VINCENZA
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My Thoughts:
I will be the first person to say that I was completely leery about reading this novel. Why? I did read
Damaged and, while I loved it, I did
not care for the characters of Drake and Xavier, I thought they were absolutely evil. Secondly? I have never read a m/m novel of any capacity. I have read novels with homosexual relationships, of course, but never had I read a novel quite like this. I was a little leery. It was slightly out of my comfort zone so I was not sure how I would feel about it, but after speaking with Becca (the author) and Christina (
from Lulo Fangirl who absolutely adored this novel), I knew that I was ready to take the plunge into this dark paranormal read. After finishing it, I am so glad I did!
First off let me start by saying this read is a prequel 'novella' to
Damaged and takes place before and during
Damaged. That being said, this is by far the longest novella I have ever read. My digital version clocked in at 170 pages. I have seriously read novels WITH novellas that were shorter than this. I loved it though, you all know how much I love a good long read. As per the authors note about reading
Damaged first? I would really have to agree.
Damaged was a very special read that has a very unique twist at the end of it. This novel completely disregards that twist and acts as though you knew it was coming the entire time. I cannot imagine having read this novel without reading
Damaged first. Other reviewers have said not to worry about it, but I am. Read
Damaged first people.
As per the plot,
Stolen was everything I expect and then some. I really didn't know what to think about this story. I didn't know what to expect. And while I can't really say there was one overarching plot line with this novella, the story is complete and fulfilling. I would definitely have read another 170 pages of this story!
When it comes to Xavier and Drake I have lots of thoughts. Xavier, the Gargoyle leader of the clan is probably one of my favorite characters. I love gargoyles. They are one of my favorite paranormal genres. Strong, mysterious warriors descended from the Elder races created to protect Earth and its' human inhabitants? Yes. So much yes. As per Drake, the dragon-shifter? I won't lie, I was seriously impressed with the whole "dragon" thing. Unlike other paranormal creatures, shifters have a dual personality. Drake spent the entire novel fighting with "dragon". Dragon is vicious, strong, extremely protective, and acts first-thinks later. Dragon is not someone you want on your bad side. Drake has a very Jekyl-Hyde situation going on and I loved that dynamic, even if he was a bit scary at times.
The relationship between Drake and Xavier is also probably among the most unique I have ever read. While they don't "fall in love" in the traditional sense, the fall in love, nonetheless. They are 'life mates', each others' one
true love. While they are both extremely resistant at first, their budding friendship and relationship is seriously a thing of beauty. Completely take the sexual thing out of the equation and at its' base, their relationship is rock solid. It was really interesting to read about that. Xavier has some huge issues with Drake, as he should, and Drake has his issues with Xavier, but in the end they realize they only have each other and really have to get it together. They are mated for life and
that's a love worth reading about. On the topic of the sex scenes, I wont say much. It's a male/male romance book, you just have to realize that before going into it. That being said, Becca writes all of her scenes, include sex scenes, with such care and intricacy, that they write like genuine scenes. Nothing seems overdone or forces, yet the scenes are raw and full of passion: what all sex scenes should be written as. While the m/m sex scenes were by no means my favorite part of the novel, I do not think they took away from the story in any capacity.
Like
Damaged,
Stolen was dark and a time a bit hard to read. It's hard to explain and not a condescending statement in any capacity. Becca has such a way with her words that it's almost like watching the events of her novels taking place before your eyes. All the love, the heartbreak, the horror, the sadness, etc is right there in front of you. Becca has a knack for writing all of the feels into her works and I think that is a true talent!
In the end,
Stolen was one of the most refreshing reads I have devoured in quite some time. It was an extremely unique and eye opening experience for me that I am so glad i had the pleasure of reading. I am granting
Stolen was much deserved 5-star review. Kudos to you Becca, this was darn near perfect. I thoroughly enjoyed every second of this novel! Anyone interested in Paranormal or Paranormal-Romance should
definitely check out this novel! You will not regret it!
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Alright readers, that is all I have for you on the topic of
Stolen by the incredible Becca Vincenza! Think this sounds like the read for you? Head over to the Goodreads and purchase links at the top of the post and get your copy ASAP! Already read
Stolen? Let me know what you think in the comments below! I will be getting my review of
Damaged out to you guys very soon. Special thanks to Becca for supplying me with a review copy of
Stolen in exchange for my honest review. Until next time, Happy Reading!
-Ethan
