Flux of Skin by Kris Austen Radcliffe

By: Anonymous on Tuesday, September 03, 2013

Title: Flux of Skin

Author:  Kris Austen Radcliffe

Series:  Fate ~ Fire ~ Shifter ~ Dragon #2

Published:  August 15th 2013 by Six Talon Sign Media LLC

Page Count:  363

Genre:  New Adult Urban Fantasy/Romance

Shelf:  Review Copy

Rating:  ★★★★★

Book Blurb:

Contains Adult Sexual Content and some violent imagery.
Flux of Skin, book two of the Fate ~ Fire ~ Shifter ~ Dragon series, picks up Ladon and Rysa’s story four hours after the events of book one,Games of Fate.

How many loves must Ladon watch die?

Ladon thought he controlled the rage. He thought he left his past—and his violence—behind. But the Shifters take Rysa and now no one is safe…

Ladon wanted a gentle life. But century after century, the call to battle malicious Fates, Shifters, and Burners always won. The world needed him. So he fought.

War took its toll and now, sometimes, his scars show. When it happens, Ladon ruptures—body, mind, and soul. And the world pays.

But he’s found a new way: a modern life with his beloved Rysa. He won’t give her up. Not because of family strife. Not because of the issues twisting her life into a raging cyclone. And definitely not because of war—until a new group of Shifters rain death onto everyone he loves.

Every Shifter understands fury. Now they learn rupture.

FLUX OF SKIN, book 2 of the Fate ~ Fire ~ Shifter ~ Dragon series, a New Adult Urban Fantasy with Strong Romantic Elements by Kris Austen Radcliffe, continues the story of Rysa and Ladon. Set in the open spaces of America, the series takes Rysa and Ladon—and Ladon’s companion beast, Dragon—through a landscape punctuated by unfamiliar creatures: Fates with the ability to see past, present, and future. Ghouls called Burners who devour with fire and acid. Shifters who shape much more than their bodies. And two dragons who speak with color and pattern.

My Review:

What happens when mythology becomes reality? What happens when the Roman Legionis make their way into our every day? What happens when your life and your love are on the line? The simple answer is a novel that will quite literally knock your socks off.

Radcliffe’s descriptions are intricately crafted and flow seamlessly through the action of the story. She uses words to create a vivid masterpiece that her readers can walk through right alongside her characters. I appreciate how Radcliffe doesn’t ‘dumb down’ her writing in an attempt to reach a larger audience. She isn’t afraid to use large and/or uncommon words. In all honesty, she uses them to great effect, packing a punch. She also uses formatting to her benefit. Shortened paragraphs here, or an italicised word there draws attention to and highlights certain aspects of scenes for the reader, without them consciously noticing.

She has also created an extremely well developed world that is backed by a solid and well formulated mythological basis. I love how personified the Dragons are, unlike so many other stories where dragons are simply beats. It makes them easy to identify with and relate too, while allowing the reader to see things from their POV. It also allows the reader to fully immerse themselves into this phenomenal world.

In this instalment, Radcliffe picks up with the same characters that we met and continues to develop them. The flashbacks into Ladon’s past really allow you to understand why he reacts how he does today. I also appreciate the fact that, regardless of the age of the character, they are still able to grow as an individual. No one remains static through their good times or the bad.

With this novel Radcliffe brings history, mythology, reality, and the supernatural to an adult audience without making it crass, even if it does become racy at times. This high impact suspenseful novel keeps you on your toes, while the romantic encounters warm your heart. I do have a few warnings about this novel, however. The first, read the first book in the series first. The second, prepare yourself for a day with this novel in your hand, because you won’t be able to put it down.

Buy your copy of this fantabulous novel online here today!

About the author:

As a child, Kris took down a pack of hungry wolves with only a hardcover copy of The Dragonriders of Pern and a sharpened toothbrush. That fateful day set her on a path traversing many storytelling worlds—dabbles in film and comic books, time as a talent agent and a textbook photo coordinator, and a foray into nonfiction. After co-authoring Mind Shapes: Understanding the Differences in Thinking and Communication, Kris returned to academia. But she craved narrative and a richly-textured world of Fates, Shifters, Burners, and Dragons—and unexpected, true love.

Kris lives in Minnesota with her husband, two daughters, an Handsome Cat, and an entire menagerie of suburban wildlife bent on destroying her house. That battered-but-true copy of “Dragonriders”? She found it yesterday. It’s time to pay a visit to the woodpeckers.

Connect with Kris online:

Website        Facebook         Goodreads 

And don't forget to join Kris' street team!