Review: "Thrall" by Jennifer Quintenz

Title: Thrall
Series: Daughters of Lilith #1
Author: Jennifer Quintenz
Publisher: Secret Tree Press
Year: 2012
















"Braedyn is a normal girl just trying to survive high school with her two devoted friends, Royal and Cassie. Together they’re doing a pretty good job of shrugging off the slings and arrows cast their way by the popular crowd when a new boy, Lucas, moves into the house next door. Suddenly Braedyn finds herself falling in love for the first time.

But as her sixteenth birthday approaches, Braedyn discovers humankind is at war with the Lilitu, an ancient race of enticing demons that prey on human souls. Her father is a member of the Guard fighting against the Lilitu - and so are the new neighbors, including her crush, Lucas.

As her world starts to unravel at the seams, Braedyn learns the right answers aren’t always clear or easy. And as for “good” and “evil” – it all depends on how we choose to act.

Inspired by the ancient Mesopotamian myths of Lilith and her offspring, Thrall explores first love, strong friendships, and taking on adult responsibilities against the backdrop of powerful supernatural forces and life-and-death stakes."

The succubus fangirl in me is going happy-go-lucky. A coming of age story for a succubus, one of my favorite supernatural creatures of all time? Yes please! And amazingly enough this book does not disappoint. I meant to savour it, to draw out the pages and enjoy for as long as I could. Instead I tore through it in two sittings without being able to put it down.

Every once in a while I really want to buy the books that are self-published, first time novels, yet to reach the shelves in your local bookstore. I like the idea of supporting aspiring authors in their way to writers heaven. But sadly sometimes those shiny new books are rushed to the printing press before they are ready. This is not one of those books. Ignore the blurb, it makes it sound so much more teen-y than it is.

I would like to draw your attention to the cover. It is a good cover but there are others like it. I thought it was nice enough when I bought the book but it should not be that special. But when you hit the exact scene in the book from which the cover is, it blows you away. Suddenly the girl looks magical, having that Cinderella effect and everything.

For a first time author, Jennifer Quintenz, I salute you. I truly hope that you are going places (hopefully places where one writes many many books). The writing style is so smooth, yet gripping. Add some good characters, well-paced story and you have something that I like. No, not like. Love. 

As I mentioned before I loves succubus stories. In this case named after Lilith and called Lilitu. And there really has not been a story which gives us first-hand insight into what it feels like to become one of the seductive demonesses. This story was paced perfectly, being very exciting and yet easing you into it when needed. I do not want to spoil because everyone deserves the awe of this book. I will drop the ditbit that I think it is wonderful that the part of mythology where succubi visit men in their dreams is not left out. And that they are, in fact, demons.

Braedyn is a sweet girl, easy to identify with. But as she progresses and grows into being a Lilitu while still being part of the Guard is amazing. She is not written as too perfect, she makes mistakes, stumbles and that's what makes her loveable. Plus while she is the "loner", she is not a whiny character, which is not easy to write. Lucas is the male interest in this book, he has solid reason for doing what he does and he stays true to why he became part of the Guard. It’s what makes him a good character. Definitely not your typical, shallowly written lover boy. But my favorites are Braedyns father and Thane. It is so lovely to have such deep side characters. Their stories were just as compelling as Breadyns.

As you can tell I am over the moon with this book and will be ordering the second book as soon as I have money for it. (which has to be after Christmas. Really, who thought gift-giving was more fun than receiving them. But sadly so much more expensive). So no surprise that “Thrall” gets full five stars and the highest recommendations I can give.  

 This review has been brought to you by your Book Mistress for the day.

-Linda