Review: Reign of Blood Omnibus By Alexia Purdy @AlexiaPurdy

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Reign of Blood Omnibus
Author: Alexia Purdy
Released July 23rd 2014
Genre: Post-Apocalyptic/Horror/Paranormal Fantasy
Publisher: Lyrical Lit. Publishing

Blurb:

Included in this omnibus package are books 1-3 with 2 extra bonus short novellas. A highly imaginative post-apocalyptic series that is not your usual dystopian read. All packaged together to keep the action and adventure nonstop!

Together, these 3 books and 2 short stories have 373+ Amazon reviews! A highly anticipated and loved series which packs a punch and is made to devour, literally!

My Review:

I received a free copy of the book from the author for my honest opinion.

April and her family are just trying to live day to day and survive. April is a tough young lady who can kick vampire ass. She is just struggling along try to stay alive and keep her family alive as well. Until one day April and her family have to make another trip into town for supplies. April's mom drops her off and they go off on their own to do their shopping and April is supposed to meet them later. When April gets back to the van they are nowhere to be seen. April looks for her family until it gets dark and then she has to give up her hunt and get home before the vampires come out.

April spends a few days alone looking for her family and blowing up buildings where the vampires hide during the daytime. These vampires form hives and stick together. April has no clue where to look for her family. But one day while she is out looking for them and destroying a lot of hives she meets another type of vampire. These vampires can talk and they can also be out in the sun as long as their no in the direct sunlight. April doesn't trust them at first but learns that she needs them to help her find her family.

April with the help of her new friends and Rye have rescued her mom Helen and little brother Jeremey. They have all returned to their home in the mountains. April hopes now that they can get on with their lives and everything will go back to normal or as normal as it was before they were kidnapped. But she is so wrong. Jeremy with all that he has been through since the virus outbreak that turned most of the world into feral vampires and hybrid vampires has grown up quicker than most seven year olds and understands a lot more than April realizes he knows. Their mom is not quite the same as she was before. She has changed so much, it is like she has done a 360. Where she used to be this calm, nice person she now will snap their heads off with just one little word. April has become the parent having to tell her mom what to do while her mom walks around in lala land most of the time.

When April meets this new guy Elijah and finds out that he is human like her. She wonders if he is a hybrid like her as well. She goes to Elijah's apartment to see where he lives but he tells her to go away and never return. But she hears Rye and the other hybrid vampires talking about another group of people that maybe human. April needs to find out if they are others out there like her and Jeremy. She knows she has Rye, Miranda, Blaze and all of the other hybrid vampires but she needs to be with others like her. She needs to know that she is not the only one that has survived the virus.

April thinks she is going out on the road all by herself to find the cure and then go find someone that will help her make more. But she is so very wrong on this one. She thinks she is slipping out of the hybrid vampire hive that she has been living in alone but on her way out she runs into her best friend Sarah and her new friend Elijah. They care about April to much to just let her go off alone in a world that is infested with vampires. In this new world of theirs everybody needs someone to watch their backs. It is not safe out there alone. April thinks she is a loner and doesn't need anyone but she is more wrong than she knows. She is leaving behind the one person who cares and loves her more than his own life. But April is a strong and independent person who thinks that she doesn't need anybody. She hates leaving without telling him where she is going and what she is doing but she knows he will try to do whatever he can to stop her from going. But April has to go on this road trip to not only try to find someone who can help her with finding a cure but she also has to find herself again before she can ever let anyone in again, before she can love again. She knows or thinks that Rye will never understand this.

Alexia will draw you into April's world so far that you almost get lost and can't find your way out again. The Reign of Blood Series is a fast paced read and keeps you on your toes afraid to turn the corner wondering what is on the other side. When you get to the other side you are still looking around waiting for it and the bam you are smacked right in the face with it. You never know from one minute to next what is going to happen. The Reign of Blood Series is awesome and if you have not read it then all I can say is you don't know what you are missing my friend.

Reign of Blood (Reign of Blood #1)
Author: Alexia Purdy
Released April 27th 2012
Genre: Post-Apocalyptic/Horror/Paranormal Fantasy
Publisher: Lyrical Lit. Publishing

Blurb:

"Never tease anything that wants to eat you. My name is April Tate and my blood is the new gold. Vampires and hybrids have overrun my world, once vibrant with life, but now a graveyard of death shrouded in shadows. I fight to survive; I fight for my mother and brother. The journey is full of turns that I am quite unprepared for. And I'm just hoping to make it to the next Vegas sunrise..."

In a post-apocalyptic world, a viral epidemic has wiped out most of the earth's population, leaving behind few humans but untold numbers of mutated vampires. April is a seventeen-year-old girl who lives in the remains of Las Vegas one year after the outbreak. She has become a ferocious vampire killer and after her family is abducted, she goes searching for them. What she finds is a new breed of vampire, unlike any she has seen before. Unsure of whom she can trust, she discovers that her view of the world is not as black and white as she once thought, and she's willing to bend the rules to rescue her family. But in trying to save them, she may only succeed in bringing her fragile world crashing down around her.

My Review:

I received a free copy of the book from the author for my honest opinion.

April Tate is just like any other normal teenager who wants to go out and party and just a hang out with all of her friends. She wants nothing to do but worry about what college she is going to and what she wants to do with her life. But all of that was taken from her a year ago when a virus swept through the world like a raging fire. Now April along with her mom and little brother are the only humans left alive or the only humans they have seen.

The virus has turned most of the world into vampires. These vampires are like zombies. They are mindless creatures that only want to rip April and her family apart to drink their blood. April has taught herself how to fight these monsters and practices as often as she can training her muscles to remember what she needs to do to kill these monsters. April is only seventeen years old and has become a self-taught vampire hunter and killer.

She learns a lot more about these new vampires and the other vampires when she is taken to their hive or home. April meets one of the leaders to these new vampires whom she thinks is one hot tomalley. She also learns a lot about herself and her family while she is with them. Rye and the hybrid vampires know where April's family is and have agreed to help her rescue them.

I have wanted to read Reign of Blood for a long, long, long time and am very grateful to Alexia for proving me with a free copy of Reign of Blood Omnibus that inspired me to go for it. I knew I would it Reign of Blood and after reading the first book I am like what was I thinking? Why did I put it off so long? If you love vampires and zombies and have not read Reign of Blood then what are you waiting for? Don't wait like I did and miss out on all of this awesomeness. Alexia will take Reign of Blood and pull you in right from the very first word and will not let you go until you have read the last word in the book.

Disarming (Reign of Blood #2)
Author: Alexia Purdy
Released December 28th 2012
Genre: Post-Apocalyptic/Horror/Paranormal Fantasy
Publisher: Lyrical Lit. Publishing

Blurb:

The world has changed. One must adapt to survive or hold on to the crumbling shards of humanity.

April continues to hold her fragile world together, but the ties that hold her family together are quickly unraveling. Rumors of a massive human underground settlement draw her to the shadows of the city once more in search of other survivors more like her, even with the hybrid vampires opposing her every move.

The darkness hides secrets along with the continued threat the Feral Vampires create, but a greater evil hides within the city. Something tells April that the humans will be less than welcoming of her, and that's if she can find them before the Vampires do. Joining sides with the enemy might be the only choice she has left.

My Review:

I received a free copy of the book from the author for my honest opinion.

There are times when April gets lonely even though she has Rye whom she has come to care about a lot and likes having him around. But she can't or doesn't let him in. She doesn't know how to let him. She is afraid of getting hurt or maybe she is afraid if she lets someone in that it will slow her down and she won't be as fast or as alert when it comes to having to fight the feral vampires or zompires.

April goes looking for these new people but before she goes she has a hard time convincing Rye to let her go alone. She finally talks him into it by telling him she needs to be alone for a while. He buys it because she has always gone off by herself like that even before she met him. Her mother use to argue with her about it but she finally she gave in to her and let her be. April is kick-ass girl who knows how take care of herself and is kind of a loner although I kind of think she is going to be changing her mind about all that in the near future.

Disarming is filled with so many twists and turns you don't know if you are coming or going. You will be walking along thinking you are going one way and the next thing you know bam you are spinning and spinning wondering what is happening. Wondering what is around the next corner. Disarming is full of great and amazing characters that take you on wild journey and leave you wanting more. I can't wait to read the next book in the series Amplified. I can't wait to see how April handles what her new life has thrown at her.

Amplified (Reign of Blood #3)
Author: Alexia Purdy
Released March 25th 2014
Genre: Post-Apocalyptic/Horror/Paranormal Fantasy
Publisher: Lyrical Lit. Publishing

Blurb:

Who wants to be the prey in a world full of hunters?

In the aftermath of the end of her world, April Tate decides that it's high time to leave the city that never sleeps, Las Vegas. After learning the origins of a Zompire Plague remedy, she risks her life to steal the antidote, makes the decision to separate from Jeremy for a while, and joins a small band of new and old comrades on a trip to the Pacific Coast. There they search out a legendary hive of vampires who are more than just wild, blood drinking creatures, they could be the very people she needs to help her.

On a mission to save the last of humanity, April will use the antidote to save some from eternal damnation, but will her decision bring hope for the future or create an ever bigger, unforeseen devastation?

My Review:

I received a free copy of the book from the author for my honest opinion.

For someone so young April Tate has been through a lot with the virus outbreak. A virus that has turned most of the population into feral vampires who only come out at night to feed and then there is the hybrid vampires who can go out during the day if it is a cloudy day. You also have the hybrid humans like April. April has lost a lot people due to the outbreak; before and after. April has a lot of people who love and care about her very much but she won't let them in. She is afraid of losing them and getting her all over again.

After the death of her mother in book #2 all April wants now is to find the one who is responsible for her death. She also wants to find the cure for the disease and help to put the world back the way it was. She wants to help all of the vampires to hopefully become human again. April finds out that her best friend Sarah is still alive and has been living with other humans in an underground city. When April decides that it is her place to go out and find the cure to the virus she leaves her little brother Jeremy with his newly adopted family in the human city.

I have fallen in love with another series and author. I am so glad that I finally decided to read the Reign of Blood Series and can't wait to read more about April, Rye, Sarah, Elijah, Jeremy, Blaze, Miranda, Randy and the new guy Felix. Who were all of these people before the outbreak? I love the world that Alexia has created with the new twist on the vampires/zompires. Alexia will draw you into April's world so far that you almost get lost and can't find your way out again. The Reign of Blood Series is a fast paced read and keeps you on your toes afraid to turn the corner wondering what is on the other side. When you get to the other side you are still looking around waiting for it and the bam you are smacked right in the face with it. You never know from one minute to next what is going to happen. The Reign of Blood Series is awesome and if you have not read it then all I can say is you don't know what you are missing my friend.

Resonant (Reign of Blood Prequel)
Author: Alexia Purdy
Coming Soon in June/July
Genre: Post-Apocalyptic/Horror/Paranormal Fantasy

Blurb:

Surviving is worse than death…

As the first days of the end of humanity tumble across the city of Las Vegas in the form of an overwhelming viral infection, turning almost everyone into vampire-like creatures, April Tate will find out what it really means to survive. What does it take to make it out alive in a place where everything is but a withered echo of its former self, and death does not come willingly?

My Review:

I received a free copy of the book from the author for my honest opinion.

In the city that never sleeps; Las Vegas, Nevada a deadly virus is raging through the city attacking almost everyone, turning them into feral vampires. Everyone except for seventeen year old April Tate, her mother and little brother Jeremy. When the virus first broke out April's mother's boyfriend Randy was them and helped them to board up their house so that they could hopefully keep the vampires out. April did not like Randy and couldn't see what her mother saw in him. Ever since she lost her father a few years back April doesn't let anybody in. She keeps everyone at a safe distance in case something happens to them and she won't be hurt.

After a few days Randy decides to go check on a few of his friends to see if they wanted to go with them to a cabin that belongs to someone in his family. When he doesn't return they don't know if he succumbed to the virus or if he left without them. He never told them where the cabin was or where his friends live so they couldn't go looking for him. April felt bad for her mom when Randy didn't return but inside she was kind of glad not that she wanted anything bad to happen to him she just didn't like having him around.

April realizes that she is going to have to try and take over making the decisions of what they were going to do and where they were going to go to get away from the vampires. So they head out to the mountains to find a cabin to live. The cabins in the mountains are vacation homes for people and not permanent homes so therefore there was not any people in the mountains which meant that hopefully there wasn't any vampires around either.

Resonant is a short read that takes a hold of you right from the very beginning and doesn't let go until you have read the last word. Resonant maybe a short story but it is filled with action, bloody gore and a whole lot of killing. If you love reading about vampires/zompires then Resonant is a good book to start with that gives you a new twist on vampires.

Elijah: The Miel Chronicles (A Reign of Blood Companion Story)
Author: Alexia Purdy
Released July 25th 2014
Genre: Post-Apocalyptic/Horror/Paranormal Fantasy
Publisher: Smashwords Edition

Blurb:

These are the journeys of Miel, the Keeper of the journal.

The workings of heaven are shrouded in mystery and myth, leaving us to only theorize as to what awaits us when we pass.

There are those among us however, that are special cases.

These are good people that have committed a horrendous crime, such as murder.

My Review:

I received a free copy of the book from the author for my honest opinion.

There are three archangels that make up the Court of Souls. These three archangels are the ones who decide where a person's soul goes when it crosses over. One of the archangels believes that the rules for judging souls have drastically changed with what is happening on earth at the moment with this virus outbreak that is changing people. He believes that you can't judge people in the same anymore.

With people turning feral and growing fangs and losing what or who they once was and all they want now is to feed from humans. They are attacking the humans and killing them which leave the humans no other choice but to kill them. If they don't kill them first then the vamps/zompires will definitely kill them no questions asked.

This archangel is one very busy angel with a lot on his plate. He needs these humans that are killing the human turned vampires/zompires investigated. He needs more evidence before he can make his final decision about their souls. He needs to get inside of the people's mind and hearts, to know what they are thinking and how they feel about what they have to do just to survive their selves. So with him being such a busy angel he sends another angel Miel to earth to investigate these humans and also the humans that have succumbed to the virus. It is Miel's job to find what the humans are feeling in their hearts and what they are thinking as well when they kill a vampire/zompires.

I have really enjoyed read about Miel and what she is sent to do. I also enjoyed getting deeper inside Elijah's head and learning how he feels about what he has done. It really gives you more info about who he is and what kind of person he is. I can't wait to read more about Elijah: The Miel Chronicles about each character; to get inside their hearts more. Or at least I hope that Miel investigates each and every character.

I would love to see the Reign of Blood Series or the big screen one day and hopefully it will then be made a tv series with a spinoff of Elijah: The Miel Chronicles of each and every one of the characters. I love the tv series The Walking Dead and would really love to have more tv shows like this and I think that the Reign of Blood Series and Elijah: The Miel Chronicles would be a great addition to The Walking Dead. I can't wait to read more of Elijah: The Miel Chronicles and hope that one day it will make it to the big screen at the theater and on tv.

Anyone who knows me knows that The Walking Dead is the only show on tv that I watch no matter who is around or what is going on. If anyone is around I make sure that I am in charge of the remote so if there is anyone there that just can't be quite I will turn the volume up real loud. I am hoping that with saying this gives you a much better idea of how much I truly loved reading the Reign of Blood Series as well as the two short story bonuses, Resonant and Elijah: The Miel Chronicles.

Author Interview:

What inspired you to writeReign of Blood Omnibus?

My Reign of Blood books were inspired from a dream and reading a ton of zombie fiction. I was really into that genre for a while and soaked it up like a sponge. But when I dreamt the opening scene in book 1, I knew I had to write the story forming in my head.

When or at what age did you know you wanted to be a writer?

I knew I wanted to be a writer when I learned how to read, really early on. Maybe around four or five years old. I'd get lost in these amazing worlds and I wanted to make worlds of my own to share with others. I had and still have a very vivid imagination.

What is the earliest age you remember reading your first book?

I remember reading books in kindergarten, though I'm sure I read some before that. It was in a reading program I was put into to enhance my skills because the teachers thought I couldn't understand the language. I could. I was just super shy. It was fun reading everyday though, it sparked my love of books.

What genre of books do you enjoy reading?

I enjoy reading paranormal, fantasy, dystopian/post-apocalyptic, epic literature and classic novels.

What is your favorite book?

My favorite book ever is Gone with the Wind, only because it was so epic and spans years of Scarlett's life. She's a strong character with major flaws who experiences real grief and heartache throughout her life, mostly due to her own faults. She's one of the most authentic characters I've ever read and I never get tired of her. The book is way better than the movie.

You know I think we all have a favorite author. Who is your favorite author and why?

My favorite author is Charlaine Harris. I loved her Sookie Stackhouse series and it got me back into reading after a long hiatus. I burned through them like nothing and it also made me realize again that I wanted to write. She lit the fire under my butt to get writing again. I do no follow the HBO show because I watched season 1 in disgust because they mutilated the books. Enough said.

If you could travel back in time here on earth to any place or time. Where would you go and why?

I wouldn't go to far. I'm a modern girl in all aspects of life. If I could visit and return to the present, I'd visit the 1920's or the 1950's. It was a glamorous and a vivid time. People were just so classy. I would love to experience that.

When writing a book do you find that writing comes easy for you or is it a difficult task?

I have a very difficult time sitting still and just typing. Sometimes I just run out of things to say and feel that the writing turns robotic. He said, she said stuff. But fortunately, in revision it gets smoothed out. I hate outlining so I never really know where a story is headed, but it always turns out fine so I guess I'm stuck with my awkward ways.

Do you have any little fuzzy friends? Like a dog or a cat? Or any pets?

I'm highly allergic to cats so no on them. I don't have dogs but I used to have birds. I'm a bird woman. Love birds but my last cockatiel died a few years ago and I haven't gotten another one. I can't wait to get another, but any pet is a ton of work. My four kids keep me busy enough.

What is your "to die for", favorite food/foods to eat?

Favorite food: pasta. I love pasta. All kinds. A close second is any Mexican dishes. The more authentic, the better.

Do you have any advice for anyone that would like to be an author?

Make the time to write. Everyone tells me I wish I had time to write. Well do you think I do with four kids and at the time I started writing I had a full time job too. I made time. I stayed up after the kids bedtime to write, even just a little. You got to want it so badly, it's a need that needs to be quenched. Make the time, you can find it.

About the Author:

Alexia currently lives in Las Vegas, Nevada- Sin City! She loves to spend every free moment writing, or playing with her four rambunctious kids. Writing has always been her dream and she has been writing ever since she can remember. She love's creating paranormal fantasy and poetry and loves to read and devour books daily. Alexia also enjoys watching movies, dancing, singing loudly in the car and Italian food.