Title: Willfully Compelled
Series: Unintentional Sacrifices Book #1
Author: Senayda Pierre
Genre: Romance, Sci-fi/Fantasy
Blurb: A centuries-old legend foretells of twins who will one day save the earth. Lysandra and Leondra have been raised by their parents with the notion that they could possibly be those destined twins. A once kaleidoscope-colored land is now brown. Water sources have become nonexistent leaving behind only lethal bodies of water. Animals and people disappear beneath the tempting waters never to resurface. As the world falls apart the twins become separated. Alone and injured, Lysandra ventures forward trying to locate and reunite with her family. Instead she slips beneath the river’s surface discovering a new world where no human has ever survived before. A prophecy. A dying world. Twins, Leondra and Lysandra are compelled to make the ultimate sacrifice for an entirely new world.
Thoughts: Willfully Compelled was a bit of an odd read for me, but it definitely stood out with its originality. I can honestly say that I have never read anything quite like it! The story brings us a post-apocalyptic world in which everything is barren and empty and everyone is out for their own survival. – including Lysandra who becomes separated from the rest of her family. Other events occur, resulting in Lysandra discovering that she can somehow breathe underwater! A whole new world opens up….one that has a prophecy that seems to pertain to her and her twin sister. If they are the twins the prophecy speaks of, then they may be just the ones to save the world….
I loved the originality of this book. It was enough to keep you guessing – and definitely enough to keep you flipping the pages to see what happens next. I also enjoyed the explanations that the author offered up…not just in regards to the prophecy and/or the saving of the world, but also the evolution of this new species and how it ties in with the human world. The cons? For me, I honestly did not like Lysandra’s twin, Leondra. She was very immature, selfish, and just annoying for the most part. I could put up with her, but I found her the far more dislikeable twin of the two. She has an unwarranted resentment toward Lysandra that was just crazy! If it wasn’t for the amazing likeability of the other characters then she quite possibly could have ruined the book for me. Additionally, there seemed to be an inordinate amount of time stuck on people’s…..(clears throat)….private areas. While a lot of it is warranted (explaining the differences between the two species, particularly as it pertains to mating, etc.) Some of it was a bit excessive though….at least in my opinion. This new species is also not monogamous, and the twins aren’t expected to be either – but the chemistry between some of the characters bothered me. For example, Lysandra and the King. Not to mention the attitudes – I can’t really see Leondra being okay with a lot of things in this new world, particularly the those pertaining to sex.
The ending may also bother some readers, since it leaves a lot of things unanswered in a very obvious build-up for book two.
Overall, I found it to be a very good, very enjoyable read – and I can’t wait to read the next one and see how events unfold!
Rate: B+
Links: Goodreads Amazon B&N KOBO iTunes
Excerpt: “On the contrary” the warm voice mused. Lysandra shivered as his words caressed her skin. His voice felt as good to her as when her tears flowed freely. Her blood warmed and her body tingled as she felt his approach. She couldn’t see him but she welcomed his conversation. Every word out of his mouth was like melted chocolate.
She moaned as his chuckle stroked her spine. Her eyes darted around as others gasped at her reaction. She looked down; her face flushed with embarrassment and irritation. She couldn’t seem to control anything beneath the surface; not her body, not her emotions, nothing.
She visibly stiffened as a dark figured stopped before her. “Look at me” the velvety voice commanded. The one they called “Your Majesty” growled making Lysandra curious. She let her eyes slowly graze over the dark figure. His fins and fused legs were the color of onyx and his chiseled chest looked sleek enough to touch. She swallowed balling her hands into fists. It made no sense how much she wanted to touch him. The pull felt similar to the feeling she’d experienced above land as she headed to the river.
She openly devoured him. He looked similar to the one they called “Sire” but yet different. He was dark while the other was light. She focused on his so-called skin; neither human nor as pliable as the girl who’d bathed and dressed her. It looked shiny and hard, shell-like. His muscular arms flexed under her perusal and his more prominent web-like hands opened and closed. Lysandra gritted her teeth at his wicked talons. They looked as if they could cause more damage than what she’d already experienced. He clasped his hands together in front as her eyes traced his sculpted shoulders and neck.
She gasped as she looked at his hair and face. He was hauntingly beautiful. His long hair captured her attention as it flowed with the current. The dark colors shimmered in the water. She looked with obvious admiration at the streaks of ebony, sapphire, and charcoal. He reminded Lysandra of her favorite land animal, a black panther. He was dark, sleek, yet formidable. She fought to control her shallow breaths and flushed skin. She’d never reacted to a man like this. Not even in her most intimate moments with Aison had she ever felt this hot and desperate to touch him. She swallowed as she flexed her hands open and close to regain a bit of composure. His silver irises gleamed with amusement as her eyes feasted on every inch of his body.
“She is affected by his presence” a powerful voice snapped everyone out of their spell.
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