Atlantis Unmasked

This book was interesting from the start to finish. I could not put it down until I was finished and wanted to have more to read.

Dialogue is often tongue in cheek wit as these people come alive for us. The good guys earn everything they get out of life and more. The evildoers are vicious with powers at hand that keep the suspense alive to the very end. Secondary characters like Grace's friend, Michelle, Alaric the celibate High Priest, Lucas the wolf shifter and others enhance the tale well with dialogue and their own struggles or antics. Each book builds a bit off the ones before but stands alone as an excellent piece of fiction that will make the reader want to read the others. Ms. Day shows again that she's an exceptionally gifted writer. - Brenda Talley

This is a really good book even better if you start it at the beginning. lol Which I will do soon..Alyssa is a good writing among my collection of good writers. She possesses the knowledge of involving the reader in the book.

Three and half stars for "Atlantis Unmasked" by Alyssa Day. If every series has a 'stumble', then for me this book is it. I didn't 'feel' the connection between the main characters and the writing felt choppy instead of the smooth flow I'm used to from this author. I didn't hate it by any means, but I was expecting much more. Grace is a leader of the human rebellion against the vampires and their allies and has been ever since her brother was killed by a pack of vamps celebrating their 'coming out'. She uses the gift of perfect aim she received from the goddess Diana's blood passed through her family. She's closed herself off from everything but vengence and just wants to take out as many vamps as she can before she dies fighting. The warrior Alexios disturbs her. He's the only man who shakes her composure and makes her 'feel'. But he's an Alpha male all the way and Grace won't stand for anyone trying to protect her and her goddess may not either! Alexios is scarred, physically and mentally. Tortured as a plaything by the goddess Anubis, her minions scarred his face with hellfire. He's drawn so powerfully to Grace, but fears opening himself up to the pain of love and loss. Now the Fae have appeared on the scene and that's never, ever, ever a good thing. Alexios has been tasked to work with Grace and steal the Vampire's Bane from the possession of the most powerful vampire yet. I can't even write a smooth review for this one. It feels disjointed. I'll just blame it on the appearance of the Fae. Will that work? I'm guessing Day is expanding the scope of the plotline as there seemed to be a bit of 'empire building' present to include new characters, new allies, and possibly new enemies. I'm hoping that's the case and in any event, every series has a 'lag book' and this one's it for me so far. Alexios is still yummy, but Grace never quite felt right to me. Toward the end, she changed quite a bit which made her better for Alexios but struck me as a kind of cheat. Ah well, maybe it's just me. I still intend to keep reading this series and the next book is "Atlantis Redeemed" sked to release in Feb 2010.

In St. Louis at the rebel regional headquarters, a vampire attacks Michelle, the best friend of Diana the Huntress descendent Grace Haviland. Atlantis priest Alaric saves her life, while Grace and Atlantis Seven warrior Alexios rush her to the hospital. Alexios is worried about Grace as vampires killed her brother ten years ago. They kiss, but Alexios flees as he remembers the hellfire that scarred his face and soul. Some time later rebel squadron leader Grace is swimming off St. Augustine when the Seelie High Court Prince Rhys arrives to ask her to arrange a meeting between him and Atlantis for next week. At the same time in Yellowstone Alexios and his friend Lucas are attacked by shapeshifters and enthralled by vampires. With the help of two other Atlantans, they dispatch the pack. Alexios and his Atlantis mates return home for the birth of the royal heir as human Queen Riley gives birth to Prince Aidan. Grace learns that Vonos the Primator vampire leader in DC possesses the Vampire's Bane in his place in Florida. The Atlantans want the gem as part of Poseidon's Trident so they can raise their island to the surface. Alexios arrives at Grace's post to train the rookies but is miserable with desire. He tells her how Anubis burned his face when she captured and tortured him for two years and his vow of celibacy to Poseidon. As they fall in love, each knows retrieving the gem and training their soldiers come before their needs. The latest romance between an Atlantan and a human is enhanced by his vow of celibacy while the over-aching theme of the urban fantasy war remains exciting and the support cast is solid especially with the birth of the heir to the Atlantis throne. Although the climax seems too simple for such a complex tale and series, fans will relish the newest cross breed thriller. Harriet Klausner