Blood of a Phoenix

The Nix Series, Book 2

By: Shannon Mayer

Narrated by: Khristine Hvam

Length: 11 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's Summary

I thought that going after those who'd destroyed my life would help me move on. At the very least, that it would ease the thirst for vengeance singing in my blood. I was wrong.

With my guns at my side, I continue to search for ways to punish the one man who took everything from me. The man who killed my family. Death is far too good for him.

I want to make him suffer, to take from him everything he loves.

To that end, I need a code breaker, one who deals in magical glyphs. But in the hunt for her, I discover there are far more secrets to my life, and my blood, than I ever could have imagined.

Secrets that are burning their way out of the past and the shadows.

A promise dangled in front of me by the enemy of my enemy is too sweet to ignore. And I will cast all my cards on the table for the one chance that the promise he offers is true.

That my son is alive.

God help those who stand between my boy and me.

©2017 Hijinks Ink Publishing (P)2017 Hijinks Ink Publishing

Strong Sequel for a Good Series

Book 2 of the Nix series uses multiple points of view. So depending on how you feel on multiple POVs you may love or hate this book...Personally, I didn't mind it this book. Partly told from the father, Lucas, we get a chance to see him in all his evil glory.

Partly told by her son, Bear, this is where I think the author struggled. Bear is a ten year old kid, but the author doesn't change her writing style to fit his age. How often have you heard a kid say things like "...fatigue came over me" or "...i came out of my fitful sleep" 😂

This book has a lot of action that I liked. But the flow and events are off a bit to me. I haven't learned how to block spoilers so I'll just say that there are some choices made by the characters that don't fit. When you change a characters core characteristics it takes some development to make it "real" otherwise it just comes across as random.

Nix faces betrayal and loss once again. In fact, the whole book is about those things. It feels dark like the DC universe (My Deadpool2 reference). I don't care for the fact that Nix has these random fights with abnormals. I understand that she has a Bounty on her head but that isn't in the case in two of the fights. The author puts this unnecessary fight scene in the helicopter ride. WHY? It really made no sense.

Some obvious secrets are revealed about what Nix is and why she is so good at her job. There is no love scene or couple making but I feel the stirring of a love connection.

I also don't like the way Abe is treated by all parties involved. I mean damn give the pup a break. He has been shot, drugged, abandoned, captured, tortured, and experimented on... in the next book he needs a bone and a doggy daycare.

Kristine Hvam is excellent but I still catch myself getting the Jane Yellowrock vibe. It was harder to hear Nix instead of Jane because of all the fighting. She doesn't have the southern accent but it's hard after I just listened to the last JY novel. Next time I'll listen to a few books before getting one with the same narrator. It's not often that I've had the same narrator for two books I've had so closely together.

Exciting, a page turner, better than book 1

***This still ends in a cliff hanger****

This is a much better book than the first book. Nix have acquired phenomenal abilities, which make her the ultimate abnormal. Many secrets about Nix’s past are revealed, much of the information comes from her girls, Dinah and Eleanor.

Nix is getting rid of alliances that she was forced to make and putting everyone on alert, everyone is expendable. For the first part of the book, Nix, with her compatriots, Noah, Killian, Simon are either traveling to find the location or a source to get information about Bear. In the process, we discover more about the abnormals and how they are being abused. Nix tries to be accepting of “good” abnormals. Her previous method, was to shoot them first. Needing the resources only they can provide to find Bear, her son, teaches her restraint.

Every now and then she will have a 2 second thought of romance or admiration of a man’s body. I really appreciate that. Many stories are designed for there to be a romantic relationship. not this one.

There is cross, double-cross and double double-cross between Romano, Nix’s father, who wants her for his ultimate weapon, Mancini, the mob boss who manufactures the drug Diva; used to increase speed and strength, and Genzo, a mob who manufactures Ikimono myst; used to make more powerful abnormals.

Nix and Bear do get a moment to make contact, but it is not for long before the grandfather takes Bear away. Bear is very intelligent, resourceful kid. He is able to harness and accept his abilities without the difficulty of confusing, which could get him killed.

The ending is a great fight reminiscent of the Ok Corrall; good versus bad guys, more bad than good guys, lots of fire-works and a great a chase.

picking up the pace!

Stephanie has done an amazing job of picking up the pace of this series. The second book IS better than the first! And yes, in this book you get to discover what Nix really is!

Muther on a Mission - here’s where things get lit!

Thankfully, the broody Nix from book 1 has become a vengeful muther of a mother. There’s more action, double crosses, and reveals, making for a wickedly satisfying listen. I love that Nix is a kick@ss force to be reckoned with, while also being prickly, distrustful and hilariously bloodthirsty.

However, this is the Empire Strikes Back middle of the trilogy. Don’t listen to this until you also have book 3 lined up and ready to go. Seriously, folks, book 3 picks up the split second after this book ends.

Great Read!

Wonderful series and I love the narrator. She is so good and so believable. Great storyline with surprisingly funny portions. Book 2 is much less dark than book 1. Both are excellent!

wow

you have done it again, great book , fabulous narrator. love it love it.

Hard to finish

I have enjoyed most of the books by this author but this series is hard to get through. Nix's disregard for everyone but herself and her son. Also, the constant animal abuse was really rough

Nix is back!!!

Nix is back for some more butt kicking! She is one of the baddest chicks ever! Don’t come between a mother and her kids!

Very different world

Enjoyed it, but quite violent and ends on a cliffhanger. You need to buy the next book to continue the story.

Dare You

I had no idea my first review did not go threw. Kristine Hvam is amazing.

Bada#* B!*#~ Alert!

Words cannot describe the emotions I’m feeling right now after finishing this book. I’m trying to catch my breath and get myself together but my mind is stuck with Bear and Phoenix and Abe. Questions...so many questions and Shannon is killing it with this world and the characters she brings to life with Khristine. Amazing is really all I can come up with at the moment.

Absolutely Brilliant

Loved this book and cannot wait for the next installment! Can't find anything bad to say except should have been longer! Smart sassy interesting well developed characters fantastic read.

Another hit

As Nix continues to punish all those who destroyed her life the one persons who pulled all the strings evades her.
Love Nix she’s strong but has a heart for those who don’t hurt her and her guns are so funny.

Fantastic

Nothing bad to say about this book. And I honestly can’t wait to read the next instalment. Great story line and I love how the characters are developing. Great read