Official Review: Beyond the Sun by Sandra Bischoff

Kitekat · Post by **Kitekat** » 26 Sep 2016, 17:32

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Beyond the Sun" by Sandra Bischoff.]

4 out of 4 stars

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Official Review: Beyond the Sun by Sandra Bischoff

Beyond the Sun by Sandra Bischoff is a fantasy novel with a side of romance.

The story follows the life of Jared Bonatelli and Alexandra Toscano. We first meet Jared on the happiest day of his life. Fifteen years ago he graduated college and got engaged to the love of his life. But the Fates had different plans for him. In a few short moments, he loses everything. To prevent the secrets of their world to surface and to mend his grieving soul, he is sent off to New Orleans. Years later he returns to New York on a summons from the Conservatorship. While battling the demons of his past, he meets Alex, a journalist trying to write a story that will launch her career. With cliff notes on the supernatural elements present in the human world provided by her boss and an order to not return without the truth, she sets to satisfy her curious and skeptical mind. While Jared and Alex explore their new relationship and reality, they also have to battle the never-ending back-stabbing, lies and deceits. Secrets get revealed, prophecies fulfilled and enemies defeated.

Jared and Alex, although lead characters are not the only two we get to know more intimately. We meet Zephyr, Jared's friend, and trainer. He works for the vampire king Xavier Dragoni and is also a lover of the vampire princess Absinthe. He is the light to her darkness. The duo perfectly represents the good and the bad of the vampire species. Last but not least, we meet Lance the werewolf. Funny, accident prone and loyal to the bone, he is a perfect counterweight to Jared's sometimes brooding and depressing character.

This book worked well for me for several reasons. One, the story is dynamic and fast-paced. Two, although this is a fantasy novel it did not take the focus away from the main point of the book but rather added to it. Three, the characters are well developed, they are flawed and consequently more real and believable. Four, the stories flows freely and is well written. Plus, this is a quick and enjoyable read.

There is also one minor drawback. I thought that Jared and Alex's story deserved more attention and detail. We get to know each well individually but not as a couple. A few additional scenes that would focus more on them as a couple would make this story perfect for me.

I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars and would recommend it to all lovers of fantasy with a few twists in the storyline.

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Beyond the Sun
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lane_vespertine · Post by **lane_vespertine** » 03 Oct 2016, 00:49

"To prevent the secrets of their world to surface and to mend his grieving soul, he is sent off to New Orleans. Years later he returns to New York on a summons from the Conservatorship."

I felt like these two sentences lost me. I had more questions about what you mean than what was explained. For example:
Who's world?
I get that he lost everything, but that means his soul is grieving?
Who sends him off to New Orleans?
What or who is the conservatorship?

I still enjoyed the review overall, but thought I would give a few points of friendly criticism.
Thanks for taking the time to read the book and write the review!

Kitekat · Post by **Kitekat** » 03 Oct 2016, 08:40

Hi lane_vespertine!

Thank you for your input. I am new to reviewing so I will take all the help I can get. I will try to be less confusing in my next review.

I am happy that your overall experience was a good one.