Atlantis Redeemed by Alyssa Day (or, OMG, AN ARC!)

February 23, 2010 on 12:01 am | In Elise, Uncategorized | No Comments

The Friday before Valentine’s Day, I received a gift. A wonderful, lovely gift. Alyssa Day sent me an ARC (Advanced Reader’s Copy) of Atlantis Redeemed (available 3/2/10). I’m surprised everyone in the country didn’t hear me squee.

So now I am going to tell you about my lovely gift. Because you know you want to know what I thought. I know you are all – every one of you – jealous that I have it. But, that’s okay. I’ll share my thoughts. I’m a giver like that.

Atlantis Redeemed is part of Alyssa’s ongoing Warriors of Poseidon series, and is Brennan’s story.

I like Brennan. I like him a lot. And I like Tiernan.  A lot of this story rolled right along for me. There were a few bumps, but for the most part, I dug it.

Here’s the short blurb:

Poseidon’s warriors have learned that the battle to protect humanity produces unexpected enemies – and alliances.  But none more unexpected than the bond between a cursed Atlantean warrior and a woman whose sight uncovers any lie…

So there’s the deal. Brennan has been cursed by Poseidon (and here I have to agree with Tiernan – seems pretty damn harsh) because he was a little free with his affection and a lot teenager when *gasp* he was a teenager. Granted, he made some crummy choices, but who doesn’t when they’re 19? Evidently, Poseidon’s warriors, that’s who. So, Poseidon gets completely pissed and curses Brennan to (a) feel no emotion – at all – until he finds his one fated mate, (b) to, all at once, feel ALL the emotion he’d missed when he finally DOES meet his fated mate, (c) to be unable to remember anything about his fated mate if he cannot see her and (d) all of the above apply until she’s dead – really, soul-gone dead – at which point, Brennan can then have the joy of remembering everything now that it’s too late. See? Harsh.

Enter Tiernan – the fated mate. She’s a human lie detector and intrepid investigative journalist (I had to say it. I think it’s a law that investigative journalists must be described as intrepid), and she’s going undercover to expose an evil scientist who is doing nasty things, including perfecting mind control on humans  and shifters. Much to the happy-happy-joy-joy of the bad nasty vampires, of course.

So, Brennan must work with Tiernan to uncover the nasty schemes of the evil mad scientist, all while never letting her out of his sight (or even sleeping – ’cause ya can’t see her if you’re sleeping!). Plus, poor Brennan has to deal with learning to control his emotions. Which he never had to do before. Imagine, if you can, your emotional control/development cutting off at 19. That’s right, didn’t learn anything emotionally past 19. Now, all the sudden, you’re dumped in the soup and have to figure it all out while your fated mate is facing mortal danger, you can’t sleep, vampires are out to get you, and the fate of the world rests on your head. No pressure, though.

I don’t want to give you any spoilers, so no more plot deets.

So, the bumps. The mechanics of the curse were a little shaky – he couldn’t remember her, but still had this strong visceral protective thing going; couldn’t remember her but kept thinking he should – that kind of thing. However, my willing suspension of disbelief kicked me in the shins and told me to shut up – Poseidon is a god, right? He could work the curse so it’s more angsty and punishing. The other real bump was at the end. And the end. And the other end. And that other, other end. Every time I thought, oh, that’s the end, there was one more short chapter. It was a bit… disconcerting. Not BAD, but distracting.

And the one bump that really bothered me – at one point, our ace journalist totally cracks. Breaks cover, freaks out, endangers everyone, causes the shit to hit the fan. To me, it seemed really out of character for her, actually. She’s supposed to be good at her job. Yes, this is personal, yes, the situation was extreme, but… her reaction seemed out of step with the character. Though perfectly reasonable in the situation. So, that was the biggest bump for me.

Stuff I loved: The chemistry between Brennan and Tiernan is smoking hot. Light my fire, keep me warm even in this ridiculous snow kind of hot. I also love that Alaric is starting to crack. Smug bugger has it coming. And I looooove Daniel. Can I mention how happy-happy I am Alyssa said she’s considering writing his story?

Big love for Brennan’s consistency, and for his serious kick-assitude. I didn’t think anyone was going to top Justice on my kick-ass meter, but Brennan did. That’s saying something.

Also, can I lobby for Jack? I want Jack to get a story. I really do.

So, there you have it. Well, as much as I can give you without spoilers. To sum up: Smokin’ hot chemistry, scorching sensuality,  an evil mad scientist, vampires, shifters, Atlanteans (oh, my!), a secret underground lair, and epic ass-kicking.  It’s a cocktail of awesome.

Bottoms up.