Review ~ Blood Warrior by H.D. Gordon

Publication Date: September 5, 2011
Publisher: Self Published
Source: ebook purchased

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When her home is attacked by murderous vampires, 17-year-old Alexa is forced to leave her mother for dead in order to save her sister. She soon learns that she is the last known member of an elite race of supernatural Warriors, and is thrust into a world full of vampires and werewolves who all seem to regard her as some sort of savior. Meanwhile, Alexa battles a monster within herself that seeks to gain control; a monster that seeks blood.

The hidden city she finds herself in appears perfect, but Alexa's instincts tell her that all is not right within its walls. When she is asked to attend a school of fighters, whose exams consist of gladiator-style competitions, she must decide who she can trust among the smiling faces. And, when she meets Kayden, a vampire she feels undeniably drawn to, she must decide if she can trust herself.

My Review:

Perhaps growing up with a mom who forces you to literally run to school everyday and 'trains' you for an unknown threat by way of kicking your ass would give you the idea that your life is more than meets the eye.  Alexa knows her upbringing isn't normal, she knows she isn't normal; she just doesn't know why.

All that changes when her house is attacked by crazed, blood-thirsty and inhuman women. Forced to leave her mother to defend herself, Alexa runs to save herself and her sister Nelly.  The attack leads to Alexa  finding out that she is the last of dying race of supernatural beings. A warrior, bread as the ultimate fighter and hunted to extinction.

Alexa is bad ass.  When she lets go and just fights everyone better watch out. It's been engrained in her to only fight when she has to but when you do fight, you fight to kill. Alexa is capable of dealing massive bodily harm but at heart is just a girl who wants friends, a family and some semblance of a normal life.  She cares, she hurts, she struggles with her feelings on everything yet she is perhaps the most dangerous creature alive.  I love this girl.  At first, I was frustrated with her lack of asking questions and forcing the issues but that all fell to the wayside pretty quickly.  She has a bit of Scarlet O'Hara attitude...a 'I'll worry about it tomorrow' sort of thing. Annoying at first but she does always eventually follow through. With a vengeance.

The cast of characters Gordon delivers in the first of the Alexa Montgomery Saga are all equally interesting.  Nelly is a super sweetheart always there for everyone. Jackson is a rock; solid and dependable.  Kayden is a warrior in his own right but with secrets and talents that I don't think we've really even gotten a taste of.

This is a different take on the supernatural.  There are vampires and werewolves but not quite in the classic sense.  I love most things vampire and it is so enjoyable to see what a writer comes up with that is new and refreshing.  I like what Gordon has invented and she delivers it in a delightful debut novel.

This isn't your mommy's glittery vampire book. Blood Warrior has big bad fangy killers, super secret mysterious plots, friendship and betrayal, love and pain and action that I think is just a teaser of things to come. I, for one, can't wait to dig into the next book.