Wraith: (Book 1)

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Vance Nolan has fallen on hard times. Dishonoured, jailed for tech-theft and disowned by his family, he now works as a junker in a machine graveyard. Pursued for reasons he does not understand, Vance has only one option: As the Grid closes in around him, Vance will make a discovery about his past that will not only change everything he thought he knew about himself, but about the world around him as well. Read more Read less. Kindle Cloud Reader Read instantly in your browser. Customers who bought this item also bought.

Page 1 of 1 Start over Page 1 of 1. Dark Space Universe Book 1. Eclipse of Procyon Distant Suns Book 2. The Leah King Trilogy. Product details File Size: May 28, Sold by: Share your thoughts with other customers. Write a customer review. Read reviews that mention mark healy grid wraith reach series another great highly recommend next book series by mark future vance believable idea sci-fi technology action compelling marks science society chance copy.

Showing of 21 reviews. Top Reviews Most recent Top Reviews. There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later. Kindle Edition Verified Purchase. Fast, furious read about a man who's given up on life and is an addict making a living as a junker. Vance has spent time in jail, losing his job as a computer security white hat.

His old life catches up with him with deadly consequences. He tries to go off-grid, calling on his old hacker skills and a few remaining old friends, but it's hard to escape a technology that has invaded every aspect of your life. Vance scrambles to escape corporations and cops, grasping at straws and chance meetings to find anyone who can give him a clue about why everyone suddenly seems to want him dead. What does he know that he doesn't know? In this near-future science fiction, Healy hits close to home with his spins on addiction, invasive technology, corporate greed, and hacktivism.

While some of the plot and science will be familiar to any who love the genre, Healy adds enough original elements and human insight to make this story fresh and interesting. Grid Wraith is a fast, fun read with a geeky turn that doesn't overwhelm and that's accurate enough to keep technosavvy folks engaged.

Wraith (Books 1-3): Wraith Trilogy

Looking forward to the next book. This one makes it on all counts: He caps the story with a very compelling cover that got my attention in the first place. Indie authors take note: Any sci-fi writer or reader knows how hard it is to pull that off. The author had my attention from the opening paragraphs with an interesting character and an interesting voice that made this a page turner for me. I am a critical reader. I highly recommend this novel and am eagerly awaiting the next installment in the series, but in the meantime, Mark Healy has gained a new fan, and I will definitely check out his other works.

One person found this helpful. Powerful interests want him dead. Good novel, Enjoyed it. Everyone's on it from birth. In a world controlled by powerful interests, even the small guy has to stay connected. Vance is off the grid but not far enough. Powerful interests want him dead, and he doesn't know who or why. He must completely disappear but with the ever present grid, how can he? I'm not that interested in cyber punk, took a chance and enjoyed this story very much. Man, this guy can write. She laughed even harder when she caught sight of his expression. Want to see me make one eye cross and have the other stay still?

View all 33 comments. Jul 16, Clara rated it really liked it Shelves: This is a Romance set in a Fantasy world. Ildiko and Brishen are forced into a marriage to strengthen alliances between their two kingdoms. The thing is, both of them are from two different races: To me, this book was how you do a great slow-burn and realistic fantasy romance when the two main protagonists are forced into marriage. From their first meeting, and because of their open-mindedness, they quickly connected thanks to a shared sense of humor and smart mind.

And from that moment, passion between them explodes and sparks fly! I felt so invested in their couple, I could feel their adoration for each other, how they respect the other one, how they faced things together. As for the characters? Well, once again, I was pleasantly surprised to find I never got annoyed either by Ildiko nor by Brishen. Ildiko was such a lovable female character! She was sweet, funny, brave and open-minded.

I loved how hard she tried to adapt to her new world and people, how she would easily make fun of how different she was from the Kai! She was really easy-going and witty , but most of ALL, she never made stupid or reckless decisions , and THAT was refreshing and so enjoyable! I loved how much she adored Brishen despite their differences, how she became his partner and lover, how she was always there through the bad things. Brishen was such a swoony and lovable male character!

What I liked the most is how he was not your typical alpha male , being overly possessive and jealous or manhandling his girl all the time. Brishen was none of that: He became dedicated and addicted to Ildiko, he loved her spirit and humor with passion. But he also could be cocky and get you hot with his dirty words as well as with his words of adoration!

The plot in itself was mainly focused on the romance, but I found the fantasy elements to still be quite unique and very intriguing , full with magic and politics. View all 34 comments. Aug 01, Penny Reid rated it it was amazing. You won't regret it. View all 3 comments. Apr 02, Jilly rated it it was amazing Shelves: Dear book, please marry me.

Much like the characters in this story, I don't even mind that you have a super ugly cover. I love you anyway. This book is the best thing ever. It's like Beauty and the Beast if they were both beasts. Beast and the Beast. We need that movie. The story begins with our couple on their wedding day. They are two different species and are being married off to set an alliance in place between their kingdoms. He is grey not sure how m Dear book, please marry me. He is grey not sure how many shades.

Here is what she says about his appearance: Red hair, white skin. But, to him, SHE is hideous. Her teeth remind him of horse's teeth. Her eyes, having whites and pupils, freak him the hell out. He sees her eyes and sees this: But, they are both good-natured, and funny, so they immediately like each other's personality. They decide to be friends and you will love them as friends. They tease each other: She drew a circle on his chin with her fingertip. There is danger all around them.

Not everyone is happy about this alliance between their kingdoms. Also, his mother is kind of a bitch and may or may not try to kill her new daughter-in-law just for the hell of it. They need to up their game if they want to live up to the precedent she is setting. As the book goes on, these two ugly creatures fall in love, and it's a romantic tale of finding the inner beauty of your one true love. I guess you can say that this hideously ugly book cover is just like the story.

Horrible, even to the point of embarrassing-looking on the outside, but amazing and beautiful within. Jul 15, Robin Bridge Four rated it it was amazing Shelves: Once upon a time a Mollusk and an Eel fell in love…. Ildiko and Brishen are two people who are insignificant to their families. They both have always known that they would be used by their families in order to form alliances. Ildiko thinks that Brishen looks a little like and Eel and he believes her to look a bit like a Mollusk. Still it could be worse.

He never imagined an arranged marriage with a human woman to seal a war and trade alliance between Bast-Haradis and Gaur. They start out with a unique friendship and that simmers and grows until each sees the beauty of the other in a different way. She is a fantastic evil creature and a bit creepy too. My father would have been overthrown decades ago without her by his side.

Ildiko was a fantastic female character. She is forced to marry someone she finds visually repugnant and leave her home and her race to go live in a new land.

She becomes an ally to Brishen and tries to be the best wife possible to him. A few of my favorite moments: The epilogue came out of nowhere and WOW. My jaw was on the floor and now I have to wait a year for the next book. So Ildiko and Brishen are set up to be married so they can do all of that political crap from the ages that supposedly seals a deal with kingdoms.

Ildiko is a beautiful human and Brishen is a handsome Kai and both races think the other is ugly as sin. That would suck monkey butt! The Kai are scary to look at because they have nacreous eyes, which are without a pupil or iris. They just glow at you. You know, you could really freak people out good at Halloween in the dark with those eyes.

I would be jumping out at people left and right.. And long nails and grey skin. But Ildiko and Brishen meet right before their marriage in the garden and they didn't even know it until Ildiko gets ready to go inside and Brishen hears her name being called.

Brishen enjoyed their conversation so much that he wants to talk to Ildiko before the wedding so she knows it's him. They share a moment in the garden and they didn't feel so horrified around each other and they were "honest".. I know it's a foreign word, but they were "honest" and told the truth about how they feel being around each others kind. They told each other how hideous they thought the other was and did that throughout the book until a turning point. Brishen presented his arm to Ildiko. There wasn't enough wine or ale in the world to kill the revolting smear coating his tongue, but he drained his goblet and Ildiko's before signaling a servant for more.

The Kai continued to watch him, and he glared at every one of them until they picked up their own utensils and braved their potatoes. The cheese plate almost did him in, and he had to ask Ildiko twice if the ones speckled a greenish-blue weren't actually bits and pieces of fermented corpses. Her explanation of how the cheese was made had him wishing they'd served fermented corpse instead.

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I will let you read the book about her! On the way back to their home they get attacked by some of these other peeps because they didn't like the two making the union. No, I don't remember their names, it start with a B, bastards in my opinion. Either way, some of the Kai were killed and a whole bunch of bastards.

They did a little ceremony with the Kai warriors that I thought was really cool. Along, the way they had to spend the night and Ildiko and Brishen got to learn even more about each other by talking. I really liked how they got to know each other slowing before the um.. And their banter together is the best. I thought yours looked like a mollusk we boil to make amaranthine dye. Amhuset is Brishen's cousin, his lieutenant and second in command.

She's a bad ass warrior. Ildiko had to get used to their schedules and sleep mostly during the day as it hurt the Kai's eyes and stay up all night. Party at the castle Unfortunately, Brishen and Ildiko have to be looking over their backs all of the time as these two people who were once never really thought about, are now targets to evil ones that want them killed.

They realized they loved each other and the sex was awesome! Then one day they are out and about coming back from town and all hell breaks loose and they get attacked again, only this time the Bastards are using arrows that have some kind of poison that paralyzes you. Some bad things happen, their human friend comes to their aide and when they find Brishen, this is Ildiko's command!

He stank of blood and agony. The wind lifted a strand of his hair, and she caught it between two fingers. It stuck to her skin, matted with gore. Sheh didn't care who hired animals to unleash their savagery. I'm not saying how or what or what she did but OMG I want them to end her! I got so freaking mad!!!!! I really loved this book and I am looking forward to the next one! I hope it comes out soon!

View all 18 comments. Oct 12, Warda rated it really liked it. Ugh, I enjoyed the heck out of this book! It doesn't have the most compelling plot, but it was addictive and the two main characters, Ildiko and Brishen, were mesmerising. The main aspect I loved about this book is how the author pretty much shunned the whole idea of outer beauty having any sort of relevance over inner beauty.

These two characters are married off to each other for the simple reason of forming an alliance and security between their two lands. They're not attracted to each other, Ugh, I enjoyed the heck out of this book! They're not attracted to each other, but find a common ground in order to push past that ordeal. They have mutual respect and admiration for their individuality.

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Another thing was the fact that the characters were of different backgrounds and cultures, which should have caused a rift. Yet they manage to overcome and see past what's socially acceptable within their culture and adapted to their situation as best as they could, accepting each other for who they are.

As well as the characters. I wanted more layers to it all, but was given only a brief glance into it. I'm hoping this is explored more in the sequel. View all 27 comments. Feb 27, Armina rated it really liked it Shelves: Buddy read with Gavin Before the Epilogue I was thinking this deserves 4 stars if only because of the amazing main characters and their relationship.

After the Epilogue - I'm not so sure anymore. Leaving it on 4 stars for now. Full review to come. February 27, A fantasy romance! And some reviews say the cover is ugly but I love it! It was actually the cover that got me interested. I was just grabbing some eBook freebies from Amazon and spotted this by chance. God moves books in Buddy read with Gavin Before the Epilogue I was thinking this deserves 4 stars if only because of the amazing main characters and their relationship. God moves books in a mysterious way! View all 11 comments. Mar 29, Dilinna rated it it was amazing.

My heart is literally double its size I loved it so so much Ildiko and Brishen are the cutest couple ever Thanks again to my darling Hiba for recommending this book. View all 6 comments. Dec 11, Brandi rated it it was ok. Come, come, grab a moss-covered rock to sit on and try not to worry about how dark and lonely it is while I tell you my thoughts. But first, how in the hell do you pronounce her name? I never settled on one way and it was pretty annoying.

The premise of the book is nothing new: The girl was too perfect: The guy was too perfect: The evil mother-in-law that the girl is of course brave enough to not be cowed by. The instant connection between the main characters. The humor that only served to play into the perfectness that is our couple. Now, in fairness, I really did like that about them both. It really was refreshing if not for everything else illustrating how bubble gum happy things were.

So, one of the biggest selling points I saw over and over in other reviews was how refreshingly honest their humor was since neither race found the other to be attractive. They show this by insulting each other with brutal honesty right in the very beginning and then peppering the story with this cute little aspect of their relationship. Well, I found it boring.

And — well you understand. For someone who found his new bride hideous he was profoundly affectionate from the start. Touching her all the time and lamenting about her amazing character and resiliency. But seriously, I mean touching all. He would play with her hair, he would touch her face, he would talk about wanting to be with his wife from the get go! Also, how extraordinarily convenient that human and kai anatomy be the same, amiright?

Everything was too easy. She assimilated to her new culture with no regrets or depression or anything remotely negative. There was no soul searching, there was no drama, there was just — bubble gum happy easy-all-the-things. There was never a time when either character dug deep into emotional issues. I would almost consider this contemporary romance for how predictable it was. View all 8 comments. My heart is just so ready to explode. Not only was this the sweetest and most heart felt story I've ever read A breath of fresh air. When I first read the synopsis This is not the case at all.

From the very first chapter you'll see how different this is. Ildiko human is married off to Brishen Kai to form an alliance between two kingdoms. The two races see each other as completely appalling. Once married, their alliance is seen as a threat by other bordering kingdoms. Ildiko and Brishen not only face the challenges of adapting to each other's physical appearance..

Honestly, I don't want to give away more than that. I can't tell you how many times I teared up. In addition to the plot and characters- the world building was completely unique and engaging. I wasn't swamped with overwhelming detail, but I felt alive in their surroundings. Young readers, please note In my opinion, it is actually quite tame but please note that going into this. Jun 26, Sh3lly grumpybookgrrrl rated it really liked it Recommends it for: Maybe more like 3. This is an unfolding love story in a fantasy setting. Bristen is a member of the royal Kai family and heir to the throne, but far enough down the chain that he will never be king.

Ildiko is the young noblewoman he is arranged to marry, whose only worth is being married off in a political alliance. They discover they actually like each other - as friends. This is sort of a vague Beauty and the Beast re-telling, only both people vie Maybe more like 3. This is sort of a vague Beauty and the Beast re-telling, only both people view the other as the beast. To Brishen, Ildiko's human eyes look like separate disgusting entities, parasites, moving around in her head.

To Ildiko, Brishen is the stuff nightmares are made of, with his gray skin, long claws, a mouth full of sharp teeth, and glowing eyes.. But they appreciate each others honesty, humor, and intelligence, so they form a friendship and try to make the best of their marriage. Of course, since this is a romance, stuff happens, and things change. I enjoyed the world-building in this. The Kai people were interesting to read about. I really appreciated the fact that there was no "virgin trope," which most romances seem to have.

Also, the two leads were friends first, and their platonic relationship was believable. Neither character was annoying or did stupid things. Again, that is always refreshing. If you are looking for a more relaxed slow-paced intelligent fantasy romance with a slowly evolving relationship, this is for you.

There is a dash of magic, although it was a bit under-developed, in my view. The ending is a bit of a cliffhanger, but nothing major. I am definitely interested in seeing what happens next in this world. Review also found at: Buddy read with my MacHalo freakazoids. I don't do fantasy romance very often, but this one looks like my kind of thing. Nov 15, Tessy Ijachi rated it liked it Shelves: Actual Rating is 3. I either smiled or cooed when I was reading it. The relationship between Brishen and Ildiko was just so amazing.

They were really honest with each other and I appreciated that. The characters were okay, I liked them enough and found that they had personalities but not that much, I hope they develop more in the second. The writing was good as well, It was easy to get into and not at all confusing. Am still confused about how to rate this book, but it ranges from 3. While I found the romance cute, I wanted more politics and maybe a little more death view spoiler [When Brishen was kidnapped, I expected the action to last a little longer cause it was so short.

I would've preferred if it was narrated from the present. I would recommend this to people looking for a romance that's not cheesy but still cute. View all 5 comments. Feb 17, Jen Davis rated it it was amazing. I probably never would have picked up this book if not for the glowing recommendations of some of my trusted fellow bloggers.

Bestselling Series

I know that you're not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but the sad fact is, sometimes I guess I do. And if I would have ignored this book, I would have really missed out on a great fantasy romance. This is my very first book by Grace Draven. The good news about that is, if this story is any indication, I'm going to have a grand time rolling around in her backlist. D I probably never would have picked up this book if not for the glowing recommendations of some of my trusted fellow bloggers. Draven has created two interesting and likeable characters, who fall in love against the odds.

It is a slow burn, but all the more satisfying for it Ildiko and Brishen are both expendable members of their respective royal families. Their marriage was cultivated as a political alliance. That wouldn't be a big deal except that they are from different species who find each other hideous. Though each of them is considered good looking by their own people, they are entirely unappealing to one another --at least in the physical sense. Fortunately, these two are able to look past that. Brishen sees the political aplomb, courage, and humor in his new wife, as Ildiko sees the honor, integrity and strength in him.

It's inside the bonds of a growing friendship and mutual respect that romance blooms. The world building here is very well done. It's an alien landscape, but Draven sets it up as naturally as breathing. We really learn our hero and heroine best when it's against the backdrop of their families and cultures. There are also plenty of things happening to keep the plot moving. There are political machinations, assassination attempts, and ancient magics. But at the core, this a romance, and one I adored. I loved the way Ildiko and Brished treated one another.

I loved that they were ugly to one another, until they were not. I loved the intensity of their intimacy, once it entered the picture. In fact, I can't think of anything I didn't like, except that it ended leaving me feeling like there should have been more. I walked away feeling a little incomplete, but I guess that guarantees I'll be back for more when Eidolon book 2 comes out. View all 4 comments. Apr 29, Snow rated it it was amazing Shelves: An alliance between two kingdoms. Arranged marriages were the fate of nearly all aristocratic Gauri women, each one made for power, for trade, for good of country.

A young Gauri royal member set of to become a wife to a KAI prince. She's become a duchess, a Kai hercegese. BUT her position as a spare will remain the same. He never imagined an arranged marriage with a human woman to seal a war and trade alliance between Bast-Hardis and Gaur.

She'd held tight to that philosophy: My kin will grow used to you and you to them as well. Dreadful in appearance, lethal in combat, Brishen was all that was cordiality and dignified royalty in every interaction with her. I think we all seek companionship, wife. Sometimes it's physical; sometimes it's much more Loneliness is an empty void. We look for that friend in the light Will you be that for me, Ildiko? That beacon in the void?

While Brishen didn't find her beautiful, it was obvious to him the Gauri men did. Still, he didn't regret this union. Ildiko was unique and witty, and he enjoyed her company. An intuitive sense of the vibrant soul and great heart that lay behind the ugly exterior? While Ildiko had the heart of a warrior, she was untrained, untried, and unprepared to fend off an attack from a determined assasin. He'd lay down his life for her, protect her with sword and axe, teeth and claws if necessary. Want to sink so deep into you that neither of us will know where one ends and the other begins.

What do you see? His need for her ran like molten streams just under his skin BUT just when they found each other within each other, the malice doesn't sleep, there are devious plans forged in front of their eyes, in their presence Simply phenomenal story, captivating characters I am eager to continue with Brishen and Ildiko's story as they are about to encounter another task to dwell upon, survive and find each other all over again BR with milady Denise special thanks to Kazy who generously pointed out this book to me Brishen wilted, relieved she took no insult in him so bluntly validating her assumption.

M "You find me ugly, don't you? Might as fact, I'll demand a re-do on our relationship and our first meet better be as beautiful and moving as Brishen and Ildiko's. Like, so beautiful and moving that our love story gets shared among millions of people and we become a hashtag. I have my reasons, okay?? We'll just blame school because I blame it for everything.

For example, my dark circles and the fact that I don't get the 8 hour required sleep. So, what made me write this? Other than the fact that I had to google kittens to give me some motivation, but I needed you guys to know how much I adore this book. Radiance , was a pleasant surprise. I found myself completely enthralled by the characters. I would adopt them in a heartbeat but like I can't even afford books right now so they kind of have to wait awhile. I never expected to pick this book up and discover it to be so addicting and enjoyable.

I tried to read as slow as possible but honestly I'm not guilty about reading this in one sitting. I'm supposed to do these things. It's the only requirement of being a full time procrastinator. Let's break down my thoughts about this book?? Well, It's about these two characters, Brishen and Ildiko, who are in an arranged marriage to form a political alliance between the Human and Kai kingdoms.

Both characters do not bring any significance to their own kingdoms hence why this marriage was formed. They were brought together by their own kingdoms but will discover they are destined for each other. You think it's going to be a happy book about love? Nah, not even close. Well, it is about love and also a kind of a typical plot with conflict, drama, and a bit of magic but yet so refreshing at the same time, does that make any sense?

Read it and find out: We were unimportant, you and I. We weren't supposed to mean anything to anyone. Do you ever just read a book and you're so consumed by the characters that you forget to focus on the actual plot??? I did that and found it to be a bit I tell you, these characters are that captivating.

You don't have to be with someone pretty, because honestly what's the point? I rather be with someone ugly with a beautiful heart than someone who is pretty with an ugly heart. And you'll learn that lesson in this book because I did. I was NOT feeling it. Promise me you'll not get yourself killed or maimed out there.

I think I loved these characters more than my own siblings. I never expected to invest so many feelings into this book like excuse me, is there something on my forehead that says "I love to suffer"?? It's not doing its job. You know what book will fulfill that??? Can we have a moment of silence and just appreciate him?? I've been an absolute sucker for Brishen since the beginning because he is funny, loyal, courageous, kind, understanding, friendly, kick ass, and other qualities which would take me 3 years to list.

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