Review: Thrall (Daughters of Lilith Book 1) by Jennifer Quintenz

 

Publication: May 2012
Publisher: Secret Tree Press
Length: 281 pages
Source: I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. This in no way influenced my opinion.

My Review: I wavered back and forth between 3 and 4 stars. Thrall (Daughters Of Lilith) had a storyline that was very original and gripping. I enjoyed the way the characters were woven together and the way things unfolded. The reason I kept wanting to go with 3 stars was the violence. It wasn't graphic, but there was a lot of it--decapitation, daggers, stabbing, beating, punching, fighting, killing, etc. I really appreciated that it wasn't graphic and although things were implied, it stayed clean.

Braedyn is just an average girl...until a secret about her life is revealed. A strange new family moves in and that only complicates things. Her life isn't anything like what she thought it was. Lucas knows more about himself, yet he's still in the dark about a lot. I loved the draw these two had towards each other and how determined they were to conquer their secrets. I loved the ending and how the epilogue set things up for more.

Content: Language: some swearing, not a ton and not any really offensive ones; Romance: The Lilitu conquers by weakening a man three times. It's implied that it's a sexual encounter, yet nothing is spelled out. Braedyn finds out it can happen by kissing. A girl spends the night with a guy and then suffers from being the school joke because of it. Kissing; Violence: mentioned above.

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About the Book: 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.

About the Author:

 Jennifer Quintenz is a film and television writer, author, and graphic novelist. She has written for Twentieth Television, Intrepid Pictures, and Archaia Studios Press. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and son.

Thrall is her first novel.