PLEDGE OF ASHES

In this first volume of Sevan’s urban fantasy series, a girl must battle an army of supernatural creatures as she learns more about her unusual abilities.

Syd Hoven has psychic powers—and she’d prefer that nobody knew about them. After an incident in which she traumatizes a woman by leading her to her missing daughter’s body, she thinks that it’s better to keep her premonitions to herself. One night, she accepts an invitation to a bar from a co-worker; there, she meets not one, but two incredibly handsome men. It turns out that they’re brothers, and they claim to be there on a mission to protect her. Devon and Jack, who have powers given to them by the Archangel Rafael, have been estranged for almost 200 years, but they can’t refuse an order from the powers that be. Before long, Syd finds out that demons and vampires are after her, too. She does her best to take this all in stride, but it’s not like she has much of a choice with two guardians ordering her around. Soon, she finds herself getting a little too close to Devon despite Jack’s warnings; hopefully, she can survive her feelings for him—as well as attacks from an army of supernatural creatures. Sevan’s series starter is fast-paced and told from multiple perspectives, flowing smoothly from one set piece to another. The action scenes are thrilling and vividly written: “The four gunshots had only opened holes in the bastard-demon’s tunic. A black sludge-like substance leaked out, stinking. The wounds closed within seconds.” The author also does a good job of explaining the details of the paranormal world as Syd encounters them, slowly expanding readers’ knowledge rather than overloading them with information upfront. Syd is a strong, likable protagonist who truly grows into her power as the story progresses.

An engaging story that will have readers looking forward to seeing where Syd’s adventures will lead her.