Review: The Legend of Michael

The Legend of Michael (Zodius - Book 1) by Lisa Renee Jones

Publication Date: May 2011
Publisher: Sourcebooks Inc.
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy
Pages: Paperback, 416pp
ISBN-13: 9781402251566
ISBN: 1402251564

(Received for review from Sourcebooks)

Purchase: Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound

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Excerpt from The Legend of Michael

Synopsis (Book Blurb):

HE IS A LETHAL WEAPON...

One of an army of human soldiers injected with alien DNA, Michael is a legend within this new race, split between good and evil. Untamable, he has walked on the dark side and returned to the light. Feared and misunderstood, he leaves everything behind including the one woman destined to be his mate.

HE IS HER ENEMY...AND HER DESTINY...

Fate leads Michael back to Cassandra Powell, for she holds the key to defending his comrades. With their loyalties divided between duty and the people they love, only together can Cassandra and Michael overcome insurmountable odds to save humanity from the wrath of a madman.

But no ordinary woman can control a creature such as Michael, and only one thing is clear - the world will never be the same...

Thoughts:

Lisa Renee Jones gives readers a well-crafted blend of Sci-Fi, Romance, and Suspense with her latest book, The Legend of Michael. This is the first book in the Zodius series and readers will have a hard time putting this one done. It's suspenseful, romantic, hot and steamy and all those things that make up a great novel. Jones' world building abilities are showcased in this book, as well as her knack for creating complex, three dimensional characters. The Legend of Michael will appeal to readers from many genres and will have readers on the edge of their seats all the way through!

Two hundred hand picked special ops soldiers are being used in a covert operation known as project Zodius. These soldiers were injected with Alien DNA, which makes them superhuman killing machines. The DNA causes the soldiers to develop abilities that no one was prepared for, especially Michael Taylor. Micheal is a legend among the people of this new race, but he is conflicted and torn between those he loves and his duty. When the Zodius soldiers splinter and Michael's friend Adam starts a new group called the Renegades, Michael joins him leaving the woman he loves. Michael is re-united with Cassandra Powell as they race against time to save the world from a madman, who is bent on destruction. Can their love survive? Can she tame the untamable?

Lisa Renee Jones takes a place that has garnered speculation and mystery for many years and turned it into the setting for her book, The Legend of Michael. Area 51 has always been a mysterious place. What goes on there? Is there really evidence of Aliens? Are the stories of alien abductions real? What about television shows like the X-files... is there a group of Federal agents who look into these things? There are so many stories and ideas that circulate around this place. I thought it was genius to use it as the backdrop to this series. The author doesn't try to give readers explanations of what could be, she basically states it as fact and makes the reader believe it.

Jones does a remarkable job of world building in this book. She creates an atmosphere that lends itself to fear and anxiety. What could this new race of superhumans be capable of? She makes the reader wonder about the possibilities. I loved the fact that she created a very strong but flawed hero. Michael comes across as a very conflicted man. He is given abilities that he doesn't understand and has to come to terms with what he is capable of. I think readers will sympathize with his emotions and feel a deep connection to him. It just goes to show how each decision a person makes affects so much more than just themselves.

Cassandra is also a great female lead. She is led by the duty she feels to her father. Which in some ways makes her appear naive. Her father seems to be completely driven by greed and he wants to use her for his own gains as well as the Zodius soldiers. Yet, Cassandra is a woman who understands deep love. The feelings she has for Michael seem to transcend their circumstances. Readers will see two sides of the coin with her. They will see her as a young woman in love and full of joy and then they will see her as she feels betrayed and abandoned. It's how she moves forward that makes the love story aspect of the book authentic and believable. I loved both characters and thought the author showed the depth of their personalities and emotions.

The underlying motivations of each of the characters was really fun to watch develop. Michael's sense of duty, Adam's power trip, Cassandra's duty to family, General Powell's greed. All of these things worked together to provide a great plot line and lots of possibilities for the rest of the series. I recommend this one to Sci-Fi readers, paranormal and urban fantasy fans and even mainstream romance readers. This book really packs an emotional punch, while still providing heart-pounding suspense and adventure. A book for many different tastes!

The Legend of Michael is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!




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Award winning author Lisa Renee Jones has published more than fifteen novels in several different languages, spanning multiple genres of romance: contemporary, romantic suspense, dark paranormal, and erotic fiction. Her awards include first place in the Romantic Times Aspiring Writers Contest. She currently lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado.