Drink Of Me [Mass Market Paperback]

That's the first thing I could think of when I finished reading Drink of Me by Jacquelyn Frank.The story centers around Reule who is the Prime or leader of a group of blood drinkers. They are NOT vampires. Reule's people the Sange have been maligned and often thought of with disgust because of their need to drink the blood of their mates. During a search and rescue mission of one of his pack mates, Reule stumbles upon Mystique-a woman who is found hiding out from the Jackals, an enemy tribe of the Sange.

Mystique has amnesia and Reule does the honorable thing by taking her with him to his home. The story just explodes from there all the way until the end. Readers learn that Mystique is a healer and an invaluable asset to Reule's people. Reule himself is drawn to this rescued female but is not sure why. Watching the two of them fall in love had me up to the late hours reading. Reule has a hero's personality all the way, he's Alpha with a capital A and yet so gentle with Mystique.

Frank does a fantastic job with the secondary characters. She's created a unique relationship between them and their leader. I have to admit I'm bummed that she considers this a stand alone. Hopefully others will enjoy this story as much as I and vote for Reule's pack mates to get their own stories as well.

I can't even think of where to start this review other than by saying, 'Absolutely fantastic!' Jacquelyn Frank has created a palpable world with such strong elements and diverse, multi-layered characters so descriptively written, they seemed to blur the line between reality and fiction. It's a journey of self as an individual and amongst others, both familiar and not. I was left wanting to know more about these characters, their world, and what's to come. Jacquelyn Frank has me hooked on the new world found in 'Drink of Me'.

Anyone who knows me as a reviewer will understand what drives me to really appreciating a great book: I am a character-driven book lover who thrives on strong romance, description, and strong world-building. I love details to jump of the pages and steal me away into a make believe world, yet make me feel like it could be tangible. In Drink of Me, I found all the things I love in the above elements that make a good book for me.

Prime Reule has always been composed, level-headed, and fantastically responsible when it comes to ruling his people. So much so that he has little time nor concern with finding a Prima, and is even emotionally closed off towards female companions, leaving his people to wonder when he would, if ever, take one. The ultimate leader in poise and responsibility, with the air of dominance and confidence admired and respected by all. A leader who saved his people from possible death, and keeps them safe and closed off from all the other species that inhabit the fantasy world his clan inhabits. His species is feared, shunned, look down upon, based on their biological needs, make-up, and rituals. But when a small outlander, different in appearance, personality, and psychic gifts, falls into his hands to shelter and keep safe, Reule knows that everything has changed, for both himself and his people.

The protagonists are nothing short of spectacular! The dynamic shifts of emotions and growth of character is breathtakingly beautiful to watch unfold in this unique fantasy world. The Sange are a species that keep to themselves. They know they're different and held aloft by other species of their world. But the ability of a small outlander shifts the outlook on all the Sange has held firmly in place to assure themselves safety.

There is a catch, however. This small woman who was found lost and severely injured has no memory of who or what she is. She only knows that her Sange rescuer, Reule, is safety personified, and whispers the deeply meaningful words only known by the Sange species themselves: "Sange, drink of me". It is within that moment that Reule knows there is mystery in his arms worth unraveling. Earning the small woman her relevant name, Mystique.

Mystique may have no memory, but she knows some important things by instincts. This makes her a curiosity and an anomaly among Reule and his Pack. Despite leery eyes watching her from a distance, through her strength and determination, intelligence, unique extinct healing gifts, and empathy, she slowly wins over the dominant protective men of the Pack, including their Prime.

The heroine and hero are amazingly wrote. Both display characteristics that fit the dynamics of their personalities, species, and roles perfectly. And their relationship is ultra heated! You can just sense how much they want each other, are drawn to one another, and know that they can ultimately find themselves in one another. And when they do give in to their desires, hold on! :)

The secondary characters are just as wonderfully written. They are woven throughout the story with purpose and with just as deep meaningful presence as the hero and heroine. I already have a few of my favorites and am anxiously awaiting Ms. Frank to say she plans on writing follow up books with them as lead characters!

Ms. Frank has created a world that seems to subtly grip you. At first you are unaware of a fantasy world presence, but it's slowly reveled as needed as the storyline progresses. The pace is perfect, filled with action and emotion. There is an undeniable strong romance and passion taking place between Reule and Mystique, and you can only follow it, subconsciously losing yourself in the pages.

~*~Final Thoughts~*~

I obviously can't say enough about just how much I enjoyed this new fantasy world, and the seemingly tangible romance between the two lead characters. They accept each other unconditionally, despite faults and lack of knowledge of each other and their differences within species. It is action packed and will leave you flipping through the pages quickly to find out what's next.

Both plot and character-driven readers will appreciate the beginning of this new fantasy series, with new species dynamics, strong character development, and action-driven plot. And, of course, anyone who appreciates a great story with warrior, dominate males, will be thankful for all sorts of yumminess!

The Story
The Sange is a tribe of people that live in the Jeth Keep on the mountain side. They are a telepathic and empathic race, some have extra `pathic abilities. Their one enemy is the Jakal's. The Jackal's feed off emotions so the deeply feeling Sange are ideal targets. Why out on a Jackal raid to recover a lost warrior Prime (King) Reule finds a cowering, starved and beaten woman in the house. He takes he back to his keep to heal and help her. Reule names her Mystique, because she can't remember her name or what had happened to her. She only feels comfort when Reule is around, so they end up spending a lot of time together healing old and new wounds. This is their story, the Sange community as well as the Prime and his Pack (dedicated warriors).

Thoughts
To be honest I really didn't know what this was about when I bought it, but I was pleasantly surprised. The book is a little slow in the very beginning, but all good paranormal/sci fi books have to do a little world building to understand the situation. I really liked Reule and Myst they heal each other, soul mates. The pace of the rest of the book was good, character development was there. I loved the idea behind this as well as all the secondary characters. Frank wrote on her website that she knew her fans would fall in love with all the warriors in this book, don't know bout anyone else, but I sure did! I truly hope this book does well enough for her to continue in this fantastically creative world.

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 63 reviews  4.5 out of 5 stars