Spectra (Angelis Book 1)

Most intriguing fantasy world, characters and storyline that kept me up way past my bedtime!Wasn't the greatest fan of the polygamy theme as it's not my scene, but it is understandable and I therefore accepted it for what it was.Very much looking forward to more from this writer.

My feelings towards Spectra by Ebony Olson are rather mixed. I’m not quite sure how I feel about it. As shown by the four star rating I have given the book, I enjoyed it. However, I didn’t come to love it in the way I had expected I would. It was completely different from what I had imagined it would be, and whilst this is a great thing, I’m not entirely sure how I feel about everything that unfolded in the story. It was different but I’m not sure if it was right for me.Okay, so I’m not making much sense. I’ll try to amend that now, in a full review.Spectra has a number of great aspects to it, things that leave you wanting more of the story. The main thing is the world building. It is very different to what you see in most paranormal romance stories nowadays. You can see glimmers of the norm, but this is very much a story unlike any other. The creatures we’re introduced to have aspects of their own, allowing us to see a new kind of paranormal system unfold. Or so it seems until you start to understand the world properly, at which point you realise quite a lot of what we’re seeing is just new names and altered details of creatures we already know. This is perfectly fine, though, as we’re pulled into the story and the creatures slowly come to light as we make our way through the story.At the same time, this did cause me some issues. For quite some time I felt as though I didn’t quite understand the creatures in the world. Things weren’t quite as clear-cut as I usually like them to be, which distracted me from the story more than it should have. Once things clicked into place in my mind, I found I enjoyed the way the world worked; I just wish the world building had been clearer at the start so that I could understand all that was happening. I understand the lack of clarity in regards to our female lead, as an air of mystery is intended for her, but I wanted to understand the world a little bit better than I did. It was such a quick read, that I really do feel as though the details pertaining to the creatures of the world could have been a bit more clear-cut at the start.This is just my opinion, though, as I’m a stickler for understanding worlds down to the tiniest details. Many will love the world building – and whilst I’m not saying it was bad, it simply wasn’t for me.This brings me nicely to my next point: the romance. I’m not entirely sure if the romance was for me. I really enjoyed how it went against the norm. Honestly, it was so interesting to see romance done in the way it was in this story. However, I’m extremely picky when it comes to my romance reads. The way the romance developed within this story wasn’t quite for me. I’ve put that aside when rating the book, though, hence why it was given a four star rating. Despite not falling head over heels for the way in which the romantic aspect of this story played out, I really did enjoy how different it was to most of the romance stories out there. It was something new, something refreshing, and I really appreciate that.Honestly, I know the story won’t be for everyone because this isn’t your usual romance story. Throughout you’re left curious as to how things will play out, and the ending wasn’t at all what I expected. I really do appreciate how the author went against the conventional in her choices, and it certainly makes for an interesting read. Whether people will enjoy it or not is another matter. I appreciated it, I liked how it was different, but I wasn’t crazy about it. Nevertheless, as a whole, it made for an interesting story. I just think people should be aware before going into this story that the romance does not play out the way it so often does.Overall, though, it was an interesting read. I found myself addicted, curious as to what would come next. I feel as though it was set up in such a way that it is unclear whether we will get any more stories with this cast, but I would like to see another one. After all, there are certain details I want to know more about and I feel as though more adventures with this cast could make for a lot of fun.An interesting read, for sure. Very much something different.As a final note, I would like to thank the publisher for providing me with a copy in exchange for a review.

The book blurb does a pretty good job of summarizing the plot. I'd say it's mainly a paranormal romance--and it is--but the magical relationships between the three main characters, of Spectra herself, and of the paranormal world she lives in are what are truly interesting. The only bad thing is, the nature of these magics aren't really explained all that well. By the end I'm fairly confident of what a Balance is (this is what Spectra is) and how it generally works, but not the rest. What is an Angelis exactly and what are their powers? Why would her marriage to Mercury be different from a marriage to Bay and/or Alexander? Because there is a difference, that much is clear, but not the how or why. What are Bay's powers exactly? He used to be a Sorcerer like Alexander, but now he's a vampire, so what are the differences and how do they affect Spectra? And who are the mysterious Fantome protecting Spectra at the end? And Spectra herself, she's a balance, but it's clear she has other powers too, some she may not even be aware of herself. Why is that? There's just a lot of questions with very few answers, I'm guessing because this will be a part of a series and we'll find out more later, but it is a bit frustrating.--Spoilers--I can deal with the heroine having multiple relationships, that's not a problem, but the 'open' nature of those relationships? Not so much. How can you even call it a relationship/marriage when all the men are sleeping with dozens of random women? Alexander I get, they weren't really together any more, just 'friends with benefits.' So, although what he does is disgusting and ends up breaking Spectra's heart, she kind of brought it on herself by not ending it sooner (4 years earlier when he initially broke up with her). But Mercury and Bay claim to be in love with Spectra, and in the end they both marry her, but both of them are having sex with lots of random other women. Bay to feed his vampire side (he was celibate for 2 centuries, so why he couldn't remain faithful to Spectra is a mystery to me. He could have continued doing what he was doing in order to be faithful to the woman he loves, but doesn't.) And Mercury? There doesn't seem to be a special reason he isn't faithful, he just likes having sex with other women although he claims to love only Spectra. That doesn't really sound like love in my opinion. But both men seem to want Spectra to only be with them, which seems a bit hypocritical. On the other hand, if she's free to sleep around as well, then what is the point of getting married in the first place? Is it a magical thing? Why is Spectra's body wedded to Bay? What does that mean exactly?Overall, that's why I gave this book 4 stars, mostly from personal preferences and not as a reflection of the quality of writing. I know it's not cheating per se, since Spectra is aware of it--maybe not the full extent of it--but I didn't like it. I prefer the heroine's love interests to be faithful to only her. The situation she is in now seems more like three single people who occasionally have sex with each other and live in the same house--not my idea of a marriage. And I really don't see how Spectra could put up with that arrangement long term. She was hurt when she saw Alexander with other women, what happens when she catches her husbands in the act? Which she will at some point. These people seem to have really long lives, so the odds are she's going to witness them with other women eventually, especially when they aren't that discrete about it. I mean, Mercury had sex with that woman right out in public in the middle of that club. No, I don't think Spectra will like it.Plus, the author really only made me feel like Alexander truly loves Spectra. When she left him and he cried, I cried, too. That scene was heartbreaking. I really believe he does love her, and he's only with the other women because of his fear Spectra will die if she attempts to shield him. I didn't really feel Mercury or Bay's love at all in comparison. If Alexander will marry her and be faithful to her, despite what he's put her through, I'm kind of Team Alexander at this point.

This was my first Paranormal Romance. I was wondering if I was going to like it. And because it was an easy read and I was intrigued to see what was going to happen in the next chapter, I just kept reading and reading. I did really like how Spectra was written as a strong, non-caring teenager who had some spunk to her. She knew how to carry her head on her shoulders from what happened to her in her past. But the minute she met Bay, she tried to act like he's a suit, but it kept going and going. Their relationship was very interesting in the different worlds they lived in. And how he was so intrigued by Spectra that it I was rooting for him.I felt the beginning with her old boyfriend that broke her heart because knew she wasn't good enough for him and the kind of person he was, their "friends with benefits" kind of annoyed me. But I thought I would see more of him in the book.And the other boy toy, I felt there needed to be more of a relationship with those two to counteract her relationship with Bay.The things I got confused about in the story:Too many characters involved with too many story lines. Especially Bay's crew. It was a little too much going on with too many characters.Things I did like from this story:It was a little Romance that was in a paranormal world. But it wasn't a Romance in a structural sense. But there still was romance. And I was kind of surprised of the ending, but I felt it should of gone to the norm because that's just the kind of Romantic person I am. I thought it was unique story. I didn't mind reading it. It went much easier than I thought it would of. And I'm glad this was my first Paranormal to start me out.

When I first read the summary, I was extremely confused. Don't let that label the book though. The reader gets to watch this meek woman become something so much more. You watch her discover herself through different men and become her true self. This book is full of vanilla sex, drinking, and more sex, with quite a bit of sorcery. There are aspects of an open relationship and the author approaches it an appeasing way.Some species that are mentioned in the book were not described leaving it up in the air, but I hope they are revealed in later books of the series. One down to the book was how easily Spectra gave herself to Bay. Kind of puts females down, in my opinion at least.

I really enjoyed this story. Kept you on your toes! Spectra is learning about herself and others in her life and coming to terms with where she will go and how she will change forever! The book blurb is extremely accurate and draws you in. I could not but it down. Such a smooth story and as you learn the characters and their roles you can just throw yourself into it!Would love to read more, how they got to where they are and where they will go from here.Well written, easy read, heart stopping, blood pumping….love it!

Spectra Michaels special talents that put her at risk on so many levels. As with most romance stories, her self-awareness is revealed through her relationships and sexual partners. Set in a paranormal world, there were many characters woven in and out of the story line that will be confusing to some readers. Overall Spectra makes a strong central figure with several weaknesses. The plot ambled along to an abrupt finish setting the stage for a sequel.I received this book through a Publisher's promotional giveaway. Although encouraged as a courtesy to provide feedback, I was under no obligation to write a review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.