Book Review: Tainted Energy by Lynn Vroman
Media Type: Ebook (ARC)
For seventeen-year-old Lena, living in the trailer park with the rest of town’s throwaways isn’t exactly paradise. Dealing with a drunken father who can’t keep his fists to himself doesn’t help matters either. The only good thing in her life, other than track, is the mysterious man who visits her dreams, promising to find her.
When a chair burns her arms, Lena chalks it up to stress-induced crazy. Yet as bizarre incidents escalate, even being crazy can’t explain it all away… until one day dream guy does find her.
Tarek lost Lena seventeen years ago after she was accused of treason and marked Tainted. He finally discovers her reborn on Earth into a life of suffering as punishment for her crime. However, someone else has already found her… and wants her dead. Willing to sacrifice everything, he fights to keep her safe so she can live the only life she’s ever known—even if that life doesn’t include him.
I have to say I wasn’t sure about this book when I started it. It began interestingly enough, we got to meet Lena and learn about her family problems but I wanted more. There were hints of this mystery Him from her dreams but we didn’t really get to know or understand Tarek until later. Once Tarek was introduced and Wilma explained some of the energy background the story picked up nicely and I found myself turning page after page.
Vroman creates a vivid setting of the various dimensions with just enough detail to immerse you in their world. From giant squids in the trees to the rolling waterbed every moment was beautifully written and transitioned back to “normal” earth with relative ease. The world building was definitely a high point for me.
Lena as a character is very relatable and I felt myself rooting for her at every turn. It was a nice change to have a heroine that wasn’t instantly fearless and strong. Even up to the last page Lena has moments of weakness and fear. Tarek is not her knight in shining armor and their chemistry is prominent but not overwhelming. The idea of a love that lasts longer than a lifetime (or cycle) is endearing to me.
Overall this was the package deal: fantasy, action and a little bit of romance. I look forward to more from this author.
FTC Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. I was not monetarily compensated for my opinion.
