Nadege_Richards
Posted July 26, 2012
Without a doubt, The Dark Gifts Birthright is the best vampire tale I’ve ever read. What drew me in the most was the lack of stereotypes. Lately, vampires have been changing, and not for the better. Some have just become bizarre, which makes you want to drop the whole vampire category entirely. But Willow Cross did something dissimilar and mesmerizing with this novel. The plot and overall idea was fresh and universally ingenious. It sparked my imagination beyond fathomable comprehension and opened me up to a whole new world of possibilities. No teenage drama, high school gossiping, or childish sing-along’s in this one. Oh no, this was vampirism in its simplest nature.
Willow’s MC (Liz) is an all around live wire. She knows when to be sad and down when it’s necessary, and then within a couple of words, she’s back to kicking vampire butt. I loved how Willow chose to create Liz’s character as an adult, rather then the average teen. It’s something you don’t get a lot since most “incidents” happen in high school. But I have to give her credit, it was new and I really enjoyed that small yet significant aspect. Liz went through a couple of ordeals as any newly turned vampire would, but she handled it better then I expected. If you hated Bella’s whininess in Twilight as I know most do, read The Dark Gifts because you won’t be disappointed.
I felt the secondary characters were as much of an importance to the novel as Liz was. No one was left stranded in oblivion. They each gave each other a reason to be there, so it wasn’t one of those stories where a character is introduced, fully explained, just for the character to disappear because they weren’t imperative to begin with. And if you ask me who my favorite character is and you think I’m going to say Liz, then you’re so wrong. There are about a million – no, strike that – a gazillion reasons why I heart Michael, the ultimate love interest, but you’d have to give me a month to elaborate. He’s sophisticating and heart-poundingly delicious. The only thing I despised about him is his close comparison to Edward, that little instinct they have to protect their love rather then letting her be her own person. It was those parts of the story that had me both pulling out my hair and wishing Michael was real. But sadly, he is not.
But to put the prior paragraphs into one sentence, The Dark Gifts Birthright will always be one of my favorite reads. One I can come back to time and time again, and still have a good laugh and the occasional meltdown.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.yanovelreader
Posted July 26, 2012
From reading the description I was really intrigued and excited to read Birthright because it sounded like an interesting take on vampires and witches. Once I started reading I could not get enough of it and quickly read through the book in a few days. The story itself is a unique, entertaining take on vampires and witches, which was extremely refreshing.
The main reason I loved Birthright, is because you are quickly thrown into the story after it began. Instead of reading about an ordinary girl and her teenage angst, you are quickly thrust into the supernatural world of vampires where Liz is being tested in order to be allowed to survive. I really enjoyed that the story started out this way because from the first page I was hooked. I wanted to know exactly what happened and how Liz and Michael got themselves into the situation that they are in.
Another reason I really enjoyed Birthright is because I love very strong independent female characters. Sometimes, in the Young Adult paranormal genre the female lead tends to be very wrapped up in her own angst and teenage problems. All of this angst and woe is me becomes very tedious and boring for me to read. In Birthright, Willow Cross creates such a strong female lead out of Liz that I couldn’t help but wish I could kick as much butt as she does.
Birthright is a thrill ride with a lot of twists and turns and a little bit of romance that will make any YA paranormal fan giddy. It is such a page turner that you better be prepared to get so wrapped up in this book that you forget the time while you are reading. I highly recommend it!!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.OMG!! What a wonderful story of vampire romance!!! The things you would do for love is all in this book!! From Micheal and Liz's story of romance and love to Cass' love and loss and regain! The story is wonderful! It talks about the present and past events of each character and how they came about and is basically family in a vampire-sire kind of way! The main characters had to fight through their problems and I love how Willow incorporated each problem into the story one at a time and yet how each problem was part of another problem. Everything started just because Micheal made the first mistake and the whole chain-of-events happened! I loved the how magic was incorporated into the story as well. Just an overall MUST read! Thank you Willow, and lots of love!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Bex_n_Books
Posted March 22, 2013
A spectacular book with bite.
Willow Cross successfully manages to create a paranormal romance of epic proportions, in her full length novel Birthright. Her main characters, Liz and Michael, are brought to life by the strong narrative, impressive craft and control of their dialogue and by beautifully detailed descriptions.
The pace, from start to finish, is fluid and allows the reader to become active cheerleaders for Willow Cross' characters. There's rarely a moment that the author allows the reader to lose sight of the characters' motives and desires.
The author takes her characters, and her readers, on a gripping journey filled with action, mystery and romance. But this is so much more than your average paranormal romance. Birthright breaks conventions and tiresome patterns associated with this genre. And as such, it's a book very of a re-read and therefore an amazing 5 fairies.
Disclosure: This book was purchased by Bex as a personal read.
tree131
Posted December 5, 2012
The Dark Gift series has vampires & werewolves Birthright is an awesome book. If you like vampires & witches this is the series for you! Willow has made a vamp nation with lots of action. Liz comes into this world Willow created where she is trained by Michael to be a fighter who might someday become queen of this vamp nation. Was hard to put down-WANT MORE!!
RedheadedBookworm
Posted July 28, 2012
This short story tells of how William became a ghost and how William and Angelica came to meet. I have not read any of the Dark Gifts series, but I can't wait to delve into them now. The story is approx. 33 pages long, but don't let that throw you. There is alot of story thrown into those 33 pages. Vampires, ghosts, werewolves, and witches! Of course, nothing is resolved and it leaves you hanging, but that is what it's supposed to do right? Make you wanna run out and get the series? Well played Ms. Cross, well played! I will be picking up the first of the Dark Gifts series.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Autumn2
Posted July 26, 2012
Willow Cross is an amazing author!
I got this book, and fell in love with it. I can not wait to read more from this author. The story flowed and even though it was 263 pages, it was awesome. I wish it could have been longer since I did not want to stop reading it, but I am hoping this author will continue writing about Michael and Liz, and all the other characters. I want to see where this book can go. I highly recommended this book and this author to everyone.
Can not wait to read book 2 in this series!
A_Wimer
Posted July 26, 2012
The Dark Gifts 2 was definitely a different kind of sequel in a great way! Loved every minute of learning about the werewolf society in Cross's books! Lots of adventure it was definitely a page turner that kept me wanting more. Impatiently awaiting the next installment!!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Lilcrowgifts
Posted July 26, 2012
This review is from: Birthright (The Dark Gifts) (Kindle Edition)
Birthright was a pleasure to read because you could feel the love the characters had without all the how can I put it I'm not a writer exposed detail. I believe in imagination we don't need to be told some things. Not that there is anything wrong with those books just sometimes you need a break from them .I work with teens who are always asking me for things to read or what I'm reading they are surprised I read lots of YA books. Ms. Cross was very creative in her writing. I thought the Vampires and Witches teaming up for the fight was wonderful we all need to get along . This is a book I can actually allow others to read and know its safe on all ages. I really enjoyed it , had lots of things that made you want to keep right on reading and I managed not to burn dinner this time . I'm on to her next book.
KBMiller
Posted July 26, 2012
I know that I have read an amazing book, if I dream about one of the main characters! And I did indeed dream about Michael and cotton candy <3 I absolutely LOVE Willow's writing style. She gives you enough detail to let the story flow, but doesn't overdo it at all. I never give spoilers, so...I'm off to read the 2nd installement Inheritance!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Jewelsei
Posted July 26, 2012
Once again Willow puts out a great story that catches you and doesn't let you go. These characters will have you rooting for them in just a few pages.
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