What Kills Me by Wynne Channing
Her description in her bio is appropriate: “Well written by Wynne Channing.”
I was walking back to Sofia’s from the bakery and saw a man in the square. He seemed to be eying me, but I was late and hurried on. Somehow I got lost and when I turned around, he was there. I explained what happened, described Sofia’s street and he took me there. I joked along the way, but he didn’t seem to get it. I do have a sarcastic wit. To repay him, I told him I would buy him a gelato and we agreed to meet at the pizzeria later. His name was Paolo.
I had come to Italy to go to the university and study art. I was living with my host, Sofia, and because I was so late, she instituted a 9:00 pm curfew and I was to meet Paolo at 9:15. Now what? I came up with the idea to leave a message for him at the pizzeria and meet him there at 3:30 Monday afternoon.
That night, as I lay in bed, I heard my name. I went to the window, looked out and Paolo was there. He talked me into climbing out the window and trespassing into the church. We stood by the collection box and he whispered in my ear, “I’m going to kill you.”
He turned toward the altar and I ran into the office. I saw a door, so I ran through it and down the stairs. The room was lit by candles that ringed a hole in the floor. Paolo kept backing me toward the hole, until someone yelled stop. I lost my balance and fell into the hole. It was so dark and I felt I was drowning. How I climbed out, I don’t know.
Uther explained, I was in his quarters in the church. He was the guardian of the sanctum. His niece, Lettie came into the room and asked me if I felt different. Why would I feel different? When I told Uther I had to go home, he said I couldn’t ever go home. He went on to explain that when I fell into the well, I had died. He said they were dead too. It was true. I had no pulse, no heartbeat. We were vampires.
When I saw myself in the mirror, my eyes were lit up as if on fire. Uther and Lettie told me I was a miracle. Never before had someone become a vampire without drinking someone’s blood. The well I fell into was full of vampire blood.
I didn’t think it could get any worse, until the General came. He called me an abomination and was taking me to the Empress. I had been thrown in the back of the truck, alone. I felt no pain and as I licked my lips I tasted blood. Soon I was cleaning blood from my body, lapping it up like a cat.
We arrived at the castle. I was chained and had a bag thrown over my head. I was made to kneel. When the bag was removed I saw hundreds of men and women surrounding me. Paolo was brought in. The Empress called him Transporter. She condemned us both to death.
I didn’t know where we were, but I tried to find a way to escape. As the sun moved around
the room, I saw Paolo burn and turn to dust. Why didn’t I burn in the sun like Paolo? I amazed myself by climbing out of the tower. As I looked around, I saw nothing but rocks and water.
When I dove and began swimming, I realized I didn’t need to breathe. Apparently there were some benefits to being a vampire. I woke up and found I had washed up on shore, so I began walking. As I walked, I talked to myself. It was something I did all the time.
I was startled when someone answered me. I thought I was alone. He introduced himself as Noel and said he could remove my chains. He took me home and introduced me to the boys, Lucas and Jerome. I didn’t want to, but felt I had to tell them my story.
They said they made weapons for the Aramatta, the Monarchy’s guards. They told me the guards would come here, looking for me. Noel said they would take care of me and meant it. We prepared to leave, but had waited too long.
They beheaded Jerome in seconds. Noel fought hard but was outnumbered. I saw the jar of fuel by the sink, rolled it across the floor and threw the lantern. I grabbed Lucas and ran out the door, as the cabin went up in flames.
We decided to hide for the day, then go to see Uther. He had to tell us what was going on, why they wanted me so bad. When we arrived at the church, Lettie told us Uther had gone to Romania to consult the Sacriva, the vampire scripture. It had foretold of her arrival.
She proceeded to tell them about the Ancients, and the prediction. There were seven Ancients with super strength and great powers. They could walk in the sun, read your mind and predict the future. When two Ancients fought and one was killed, any vampires created by the Ancients died, the entire blood line. The Monarchy imprisoned the ancients, dug a well and put all their blood in the well. It was called the Crucivium.
The prophesy became the Sacriva. It says, when the natural world is threatened by the vampire empire, a human girl will be born, a vampire by unholy means. She will restore order.
The Monarchy is afraid of me. They will hunt me down and kill me. I told Lucas to leave, but he put his hand out and I took it.
4 STARS – Would Highly Recommend To Others
The cover is gorgeous and the title led me to learn more about the book.
When the General fought with Lucas, it made me picture Twilight, when Edward fought to save Bella in the church. I could picture them both, flying through the air and bouncing off the walls.
Wynne Channing created Axelia with a sense of humor and a sarcastic wit. She would need it. The trials and tribulations she goes through to save her and Lucas, create a strong character. I was running and climbing with her, as I rooted for her and hoped she’d get what she needs and wants.
The story was unique and creative. Very different from the vampire novels I have read. It captured me from the beginning and I eagerly ate it up. The action was non-stop, keeping me reading to find out what would happen next.
I loved the ending and it left me wanting more, but you will have to read the book to find out for yourself. I am eagerly awaiting the next book.
Buy Links for What Kills Me
Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&N | Kobo | iTunes | Goodreads
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
About the top-rated, best-selling book (#1 in occult, October 2012): An ancient prophecy warns of a girl destined to cause the extinction of the vampire race. So when 17-year-old Axelia falls into a sacred well filled with blood and emerges a vampire, the immortal empire believes she is this legendary destroyer. Hunted by soldiers and mercenaries, Axelia and her reluctant ally, the vampire bladesmith Lucas, must battle to survive. How will she convince the empire that she is just an innocent teenager-turned bloodsucker and not a creature of destruction? And if she cannot, can a vampire who is afraid of bugs summon the courage to fight a nation of immortals?
About Wynne: Wynne Channing is a national newspaper reporter and award-winning young adult novelist. Wynne loves telling stories and as a journalist, she has interviewed everyone from Daniel Radcliffe and Hugh Jackman to the president of the Maldives and Duchess Sarah Ferguson. The closest she has come to interviewing a vampire is sitting down with True Blood‘s Alexander Skarsgard (he didn’t bite). She briefly considered calling her debut novel “Well” so then everyone would say: “Well written by Wynne Channing.”
Connect with Wynne
Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
Google+ | Pinterest |YouTube |Amazon Author Page
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Giveaway
Wynne Channing has offered 3 ebooks for the giveaway. It is International and easy to enter, as always. Just answer the question – WHAT VAMPIRIC POWER WOULD YOU WANT TO HAVE? – and leave your email.
Now comes my favorite time of any giveaway. Announcing the winners.
Drum roll, please!!
Emily Guido / Denise Z /Melanie
Congratulations. Your comments were wonderful and very much appreciated. This was a fun giveaway and I hope you will all come back again.
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To get your copy of I Am Forever, or another Wynne Channing novel, click on the cover below.
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Nice! The novel looks fantastic – I always love a good action-filled book 🙂 And the cover… GORGEOUS!!
Definitely entering the giveaway for it… I would most like the power to read minds (and the ability to turn it off at will). I may not always like what I see, but the truth is very important to me (:
(bookspark.contact@gmail.com)
I love the cover too. Reading minds, hmmmmm. Would definitely give you an advantage.
Great review Sherry. You gave me enough to want to read this one! The cover art is very pretty. If you gave it a four, it’s got to be good! I’m in please:)
Forgot to leave my choice for vampiric power. I would like to be able to hypnotize people. I could make them forgot when I did something stupid:)
You are sooooo funny.
I so want to read and I would want to be able to glamor people effyshep@gmail.com
Thanks for entering. I wish you luck.
The power to persuade people. I can’t enter the giveaway because I already have a copy of What Kills Me and can’t wait to read it! Your post made me want to read it even more.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I really appreciate that.
I would like to have all the sexiness…. because it’s totally opposite of what I am!!! TOO FUNNY! Thanks, Emily
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. lol We don’t see ourselves as others see us.
I think the book sounds interesting and I am so entering. I would love to have the healing abilities, speed, the not aging part sounds cool to.
Sounds like an awesome read, so I have to enter! I can’t decide whether I would prefer the mind reading ability or the anti aging thing. Hmmmm, reading minds would definitely be more useful, so I guess I would have to have that!!
I love all you guys comments. Really interesting. Good luck.
I would love to have the super strength. Great review! Book sounds awesome!
Just FYI, the quickest way to kill my interest in something is to compare it in any way to Twilight. :-p
I’m sorry to hear that. My sister turned me on to the Twilight books, then the movies. I had never been a vampire fan. Now I find myself open to a whole new genre of books I have been missing. I appreciate you stopping by and commenting.
Sorry, the Twilight books aren’t really “vampire genre”. They are angsty teen romance books with characters who are very poorly portrayed as mythical creatures. If you want real vampire books, read Anne Rice. 😉
The only comparison I made to this book and Twilight was the fight. I was trying to find a way to describe how they were flying in the air and bouncing off the walls. Because a lot of people have read and watched Twilight, I thought this would bring the scene to life. This book is not about teen angst and teen romance.
Awesome cover 🙂 The book sounds very interesting indeed 🙂
I would love to be able to see into other people’s minds and know what they are thinking.
The vampiric power I would want to have most (besides immortality, of course – LOL) would be the healing abilities of a vampire. To have that ability would be amazing!! 🙂 Although I have to admit, the speed and ability to read minds and ‘persuade’ people would be absolutely awesome as well!!!!! LOL!!!! 🙂
Sexy vampires can have hot sex for forever with all the other powers you can have that one sounds the most tempting to me.
Linda
I would like a couple really, read peoples minds, and the fast movement. But if I have to have one it would be the mind reading. Just think no one could ever lie to you again.
Wow, very interesting! The cover is absolutely gorgeous!
I’d love to have the ability of living forever. To travel and experience evrything thr world has to offer? Yup. That’s my secret wish.
I look forward to reading this one!
-Dana
I wouldn’t mind having some sort of mental control over wild animals.
That is different. How appropriate, considering your avatar. lol A critter whisperer. I like it.
I want to thank everyone who has stopped by and commented. I love reading them. Good luck.
This place is hoppin!!
wow, look @ all the comments!
I would love to be immortal. (I think)
This book sounds amazing, differently going on my must read list. My power would to be an elementor (basically control the elements) 😀 never be cold just make a fire and never be hot make a breeze.
Well, If I have to pick only one vampiric power, then it would have to be the ability to move at unnatural speeds (this of course, because when I’m in a rush it’s so hard to wait).
Hmm….I have to say just picking one is extremely difficult. Super strenght, healing abilities, mind control/reading. So tempting but I guess if I had to live forever I would want to look good doing it. No sense living forever and looking like it…lol
I can’t wait to read this one. Sounds like a book that will be hard to put down : )
I am quite excited about this book. If could pick my vampire power I’d want the power of thought, to be able to hear it or control it.
Healing! Because it’s not only a gift that would benefit you, but also others. 🙂
The book cover is very sexy and intriguing. I have been waiting for a great vampire book to read! If I could have a vampiric power it would be to glamour. Yes, I am a control freak, but more to stop conflict by just having everyone do things my way! LOL!
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I’m ALL about the persuasion power!
Read thoughts and travel fast.
reviewing.shelf@gmail.com
The books sounds like it would be a good read, interesting. I think I would like sensory improvement — wow! how alive would I feel – ha ha ha…
I would love the power to be more charming and persuasive!!
I would pick eternal youth. However I don’t believe I would want that if my hubby was going to be growing old without me. In that case, I would want to fly.
f.marlow1204@gmail.com
Vampiric sex appeal.
I want the strength or speed um can I have both?
Love the book cover! IF I could choose which vampiric trait I would have it would be the ability to move fast or transport oneself to another location. I just think that would be so very helpful when I am needed in more than one place at a time! Thank you!
No need to enter me as I plan to buy the book. About those fabulous abilities….. the power to heal would be my choice. It would be awesome to be able to help others.
What a cool story, and one I know I would love. I’ll definitely add this to my TBR list.
If I could have any vampiric power, I would love the ability to heal. I’m a compassionate person and I could see myself caring for and protecting the innocent children and animals. With that said, I also have a little bit of a ‘Dexter’ in me; being a vampire would be right up my alley! lol
lilypadzandfrogz@gmail.com
I think that I would love to predict the future. I don’t think I’d want to read minds because I truly think some things are too personal and I wouldn’t want to know what people are thinking all the time.
HUmmm vampire power? I think I would go with disappearing – it might be fun to be real sneaky like that. What Kills Me sounds like a very different and interesting read. Thank you for sharing it with us 🙂
dz59001[at]gmail[dot]com
I want to thank all of you for your wonderful comments. The response was awesome. Thanks also to Wynne Channing for writing such a great book and allowing me to do this giveaway. This giveaway is now closed and I will be contacting the winners shortly.
Thank you so much for the great review 🙂 I loved reading all of the comments.
I agree. I don’t always comment back to them, but I do read each and every one. I find a lot of them very entertaining. I thought the giveaway was a great success and I hope you do too.
It sounds so good. I have this on my to-be-read list this week!
(So no, not entering giveaway.)
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