REVIEW: Spirit Legacy by E E Holmes

Spirit Legacy
by E. E. Holmes

Publisher: Smashwords
Page Count: 297
Release Date: July 2, 2013
Format: Kindle

How got: free copy from author for review

First attention getter: that author's email and that gorgeous cover

Synopsis:

From GoodReads:

“The Gateway is open...”

These cryptic words wake college student Jess Ballard from a terrifying dream into an even more terrifying reality.

Jess' life has never been what anyone would call easy; doing damage control in the wake of your nomadic, alcoholic mother doesn't exactly make for a storybook childhood. But now her world has fallen apart just when it should be coming together: her mother gone—dead under mysterious circumstances; her life uprooted to stay with estranged relatives she’s never met; and there’s something odd about some of the people she’s been meeting at school:

They’re dead.

Aided by Tia, her neurotic roommate, and Dr. David Pierce, a ghost-hunting professor, Jess must unravel the mystery behind her hauntings. But the closer she gets to the truth, the more danger shadows her every move. An ancient secret, long-buried, is about to claw its way to the surface, and nothing can prepare Jess for one terrifying truth …

… her encounters with the world of the dead are only just beginning.

Spirit Legacy is the first of three thrilling novels in The Gateway Trilogy by E.E. Holmes.

My Thoughts:

Star Rating - 5

This book pleasantly surprised me. I got a great story with characters I like, not something that happens all the time with indie works. I’ve had some bad experiences in the past with them so it’s always a joy to find an excellent work among them. I enjoyed it so much, I already have book 2 on my Kindle ready to go.

First off, the main character is just a peach! She’s practical and no frills, handling life as it throws the many obstacles and danger at her. I liked how she approached these events with calm and rational thought, not letting the danger or excitement get to her. Her occasional vulnerable streak just added depth to her overall emotional state. I loved Jess and can’t wait to explore more of her and her world.

Her immediate supporting staffs are also great. I loved Tia! The obsessive-compulsive, research-obsessed roommate was a nice foil for Jess as she deals with all the supernatural crap coming her way. She seems to connect with Jess on a deep level and makes for a fantastic ally. I also found enjoyment in David, Evan, and others. I did find some fell into stereotypical college roles, like Gabby and her blonde, slutty, popular girl type. But those were only occasional and not glaring.

I adored the story and how the author pulled in the supernatural elements. The story unfolds in a very organic and flowing way, not being weighted down with too busy action sequences or over-wordy supposition portions. She has a great mix of coming of age, mystery, eerie ghost sightings, with a side of college life for levity. I loved her blend and how she was able to balance everything.

And then there are the supernatural elements, the cream of the book in my opinion. They’re unique and engaging, aspects not always present in a supernatural thriller. I loved the idea of Jess’ role with her family member and how that played into all that was happening with Jess and her mother’s death. It sets some great groundwork for future works in the series that I look forward to seeing. The ghosts are spine-tingling and yet sad at the same time. Your emotions are pulled into their fates and their release, or not as the case may be, with great strength.

A great balance of storytelling, supernatural, and characters, this is a great start to a promising series. I think this author has a great future and I look forward to following her in future.

Note: Book received for free from author in exchange for an honest review.