Review: The Progeny by Ashlynne Laynne

Publisher: February 1, 2012, Novel Concept Publishing
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Format: Kindle
Source: Gifted by author for honest review

Goodreads Summary:

Ascher questions the purpose for his existence and which world he truly belongs to: the human world or the vampire world. Two months from sealing to Ursula— a prearranged union to a woman he abhors — he’s at his wit’s end. He knows if he calls off the sealing, the Romanian clan will strike with deadly force, but he cannot see eternity with a cold empty shell of a woman like Ursula.
Just when he thought life was complicated enough, he meets Shauna— a beautiful, bi-racial human wiccan — and immediately develops an unshakable attraction to her. She makes him feel alive and vital despite his origins and Ascher makes a decision that turns his immortal world upside down.

Hello Bloggers!!!!  Before I get into my actual review, I would like to give a special thanks to Jaclyn!!  She has done such a wonderful job with her blog.  Jaclyn has lots of talent and quite frankly I don't see how she does everything she does.  Just wanted her to know I respect and admire all her hard work.   Now back to our regularly scheduled program…..

“No fate other than the one I choose.”

Let me preface my review with the fact that I generally do not read many vampire/fantasy books.  Not really my genre.  There are a few I really enjoy, but just not a fan in general.  Regardless of the book I am reading, however, I always keep an open mind.  Since I love to read, I give all books a good chance.  Now that being said, did I like this book?  Yes I did.  Did it just amaze me and blow me away? No.  If you are a fan of the genre though, it is defiantly worth checking out.    Ascher is a peculiar character in that he has human emotions, the warmth of a human, and the heartbeat of a human.  On the flip side, he is also very much vampire.   He runs a bar with his Dad and 3 brothers.  They are all full blood vampires.  The half-human thing sometimes causes family tension among the brothers.   Shauna is employed to work at this bar.  Upon seeing her and smelling her scent, Ascher couldn’t stay away.  She has what is known as the trinity.  She is a virgin, vegetarian, and does not drink alcohol which makes her blood irresistible.  There is also more to her than meets the eye.  There are things about her even she don’t know or understand herself.  Ascher is destined to seal with Ursula in just a few weeks.  He has been struggling with the idea of whether he is in control of his destiny or if he is predetermined to live the life chosen for him.  Shauna makes him question this more.  If he does not go through with the arranged sealing, it could mean war and death for his family.  

What you can brag to your mama about:

I liked the flow of the story and the flow of the character development.  I thought Laynne did a good job at portraying the story and characters without feeling like she was just telling you about it.  They really truly just developed.   I liked that even though Ascher is the only half-human vampire in his family, the brothers and dad get to show the fact they have emotions too.  Even though they probably wouldn't like to admit it.  They are fiercely protective over their family and loved ones. Even though Ursula is the bad guy in this story, I like her character as well.   Jealousy and greed can make a woman do crazy things.  Ironically, I think she might have been my favorite character.  Even if she was despicable. 

There is also plenty of action and there is some suspense when it comes to trying to figure out if Katy is ok, what is Gabe's motives, etc.

What mama was talking about when mama said knock you out:

This may just be me and the fact I am not a huge vampire book reader.  But it seemed to kinda follow the pattern and mold of the other vampire books I have read.  Is this really a bad thing?  Maybe not as it seems to be working for all the other books as well.  But it was something that did not make this book stand out in a major way when I finished it.  While the book is in no way a bad book, it didn't just have any major standing out points.  I also didn't relate well to Shauna.  It may have just been a Melody thing.  I just couldn't really relate to her.   I am super close to my sister like she is.  But other than that totally unrelatable to me.  She just didn't really engage me much.   To be honest I didn't care either way what happened to her.

OVERALL OPINION:

I did enjoy The Progeny.  It was a mix of romance, greed, jealousy, and a little old fashion violence.  I would have liked for the love of Ascher's life, Shauna, to be a little bit more relatable.  Not sure what it says about me that I related more to the mean evil chick than the sweet virgin chick.   Excuse me while I go pray for my soul! LOL