Review ~ MORTAL OBLIGATION (Dark Betrayal Trilogy #1) by Nichole Chase

Ree will face the darkest form of betrayal before the year is out.

Seventeen year old Ree McKenna has three goals: get through high school, convince her crush she is more than his best friend’s little sister, and save money for college. Fate, though, has other plans for her. After the untimely death of her older brother, Ree is haunted by dreadful nightmares and terrifying visions. To make matters worse, Ree has started to suspect that something dangerous is stalking her from the shadows. A night full of frightening surprises leaves Ree with unsettling news. Gifted by the gods with unusual powers, she must devote herself to a battle that could very well lead to not only her death, but the demise of everyone she knows and loves. After all, Ree is the only mortal standing between the Earth and utter darkness.

Set in Savannah, Ga, Mortal Obligation is the first book of The Dark Betrayal Trilogy.

I know I've said this a lot, but lately, I've had a hard time getting into paranormal young adult books. I don't know for sure why that is. Possibly it's because many of the books feel like similar stories with minor tweaks. So I've started going into these books with a "cautiously optimistic" outlook.

 Mortal Obligation captured my attention right away. The plot isn't hesitant or plodding. The storyline fast-paced and steady. I don't enjoy books that dangle a secret over the reader for most of the story. It seems like a tactic to keep the reader hanging on. So I love that author Nichole Chase didn't waste time, leaving the reader wondering what Mortal Obligation is all about.

The lore behind Mortal Obligation was unique. I actually knew the basics of the paranormal aspect, because I forced a friend to tell me (thank you, Autumn!). But it was so much more. I don't want to inadvertently spoil the plot for future readers, but I can safely say that I've never come across a story with the same concept. The lore definitely went above and beyond my expectations.

I also enjoyed the characters. Ree was a typical teen, sweet, caring, and a bit shy. She handles her obstacles with a level head and determination. Her friends Jules, Bryce, Weylin and Melanie were funny and loyal. And I appreciate that Chase gave the group of friends ethnic diversity. Two thumbs up! And the guys, Padan and Roland are both worthy (I think) of Ree's affection. And I'd like to say Padan, as her life-long friend and crush would be the obvious choice, but... Roland was dark, maybe a bit dangerous and very yummy. We shall see.

So yes, I enjoyed Mortal Obligation very much. It was fast-paced, clever, and engaging. The ending dealt huge, shattering plot twist. And I feel like a dummy for saying this, but I didn't see it coming. It surprised me and I loved it. So if you're looking for a new take on paranormal, Mortal Obligation may be the book for you.

Favorite Quote:

"Suddenly she felt like the walls were too close. Her throat was tight, like she couldn't breathe. She was trapped. Trapped in this room, and trapped by responsibility, a responsibility that would most likely kill her." (ebook, 23%)


Published August 14th 2011

You can purchase Mortal Obligation at:
Amazon  |  Barnes and Noble  |  Book Depository  |  Smashwords

Nichole Chase is a daydreamer. No, really, just ask any of the math teachers that had the misfortune of seeing her name appear on their class schedule. For years she has had story lines and characters begging for attention, but she resolutely pushed them aside to focus on more normal (read, boring) jobs. Well, no longer! She is currently heeding the voices in her head and frantically writing their stories. Nichole resides in South Georgia with her husband, energetic toddler, three dogs, and two cats. When not devouring novels by the dozens, you may find her writing, painting, crafting, or chasing her daughter around the house while making monster noises.

You can connect with Nichole at:
her website  |  GoodReads  |  Twitter  |  Facebook

Source: Received from author in exchange for an honest review.