Author: Jessica Fortunato
Released: July 20th, 2012
Print Length: ?
File Size: 105KB
Goodreads info here, visit the book's website
Disclaimer: I did receive a free ARC of this book in order to review prior to release. This however did not influence my review in any way.
Here's the official trailer for the book:
Now for the review:
Powerful Struggle Between Love and Duty!
Stunning Twist at the End!
Shortly after the release of her debut novel The Sin Collector, Jessica Fortunato held a contest asking her readers which character they would like to learn more about. The winning character was Thomas and this is his story.
War always comes at a great price. Thomas knows this better perhaps than anyone. Thomas has seen many wars come and go during his unending lifespan. The death and destruction of war, as well as his lonely existence as a Collector, has caused his heart to harden, but when he meets a fellow Collector named Emmilina his heart begins to open just a touch. Then Lucy, a sweet and beautiful mortal pries it open the rest of the way. But soon Thomas must choose between his duty to yet another war and spending as much time with Lucy as he can. He feels that as an immortal who cannot be hurt, much less killed, it is his responsibility to fight in the war and protect as many soldiers as he can. He also knows that each minute he is away from Lucy is one he'll never get back. No matter his decision, he'll have to live with the consequences for the rest of his life.
Fortunato has definitely mastered the art of drawing a reader into a story with emotions. The characters and their lives are realistic and believable. I felt everything Thomas felt from anger, to happiness, to grief. There is a full array of experiences which kept me from feeling disappointed at the end as I tend to do with most short stories. That's not to say I didn't want more, because I did! It's just that the story felt complete, there were no big questions remaining or confusing loose ends. I've read this short several times and can see me reading it many more while I wait for the sequel to The Sin Collector to come out!
War always comes at a great price. Thomas knows this better perhaps than anyone. Thomas has seen many wars come and go during his unending lifespan. The death and destruction of war, as well as his lonely existence as a Collector, has caused his heart to harden, but when he meets a fellow Collector named Emmilina his heart begins to open just a touch. Then Lucy, a sweet and beautiful mortal pries it open the rest of the way. But soon Thomas must choose between his duty to yet another war and spending as much time with Lucy as he can. He feels that as an immortal who cannot be hurt, much less killed, it is his responsibility to fight in the war and protect as many soldiers as he can. He also knows that each minute he is away from Lucy is one he'll never get back. No matter his decision, he'll have to live with the consequences for the rest of his life.
Fortunato has definitely mastered the art of drawing a reader into a story with emotions. The characters and their lives are realistic and believable. I felt everything Thomas felt from anger, to happiness, to grief. There is a full array of experiences which kept me from feeling disappointed at the end as I tend to do with most short stories. That's not to say I didn't want more, because I did! It's just that the story felt complete, there were no big questions remaining or confusing loose ends. I've read this short several times and can see me reading it many more while I wait for the sequel to The Sin Collector to come out!
Buy here:
Or Win a Free E-book Copy Here:
Now for the Giveaway!
There are two prizes up for grabs, a ebook copy of The Sin Collector and one for Thomas. So if you haven't read the first book yet, here's your chance to win it! The first place winner can pick which one and second place will receive the other or if they already have it can send it to a friend. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Great review! I just finished The Sin Collector recently and I loved it. I really can't wait to read this one.
ReplyDeleteNot sure if I'd want to live forever in exchange for sad sin collector powers. I feel like I'd probably do it, then regret it after a lifetime of psychic pain.
If you loved The Sin Collector then you won't be disappointed with Thomas.
DeleteI don't think I'd want to do it if it meant Collecting either. I think I would wear myself out too early by trying to collect as many sins as possible to ease the souls of mortals as fast as I could. Well that, and I'm not sure I could endure the loneliness they face.