REVIEW: Inhale (Just Breathe #1) by Kendall Grey

 

Author: Kendall Grey

Series: Just Breathe

Pages: 462

Publisher: Howling Mad Press

Release Date: 1st May 2012

Synopsis. (Goodreads)

Strangers in reality, inseparable in dreams…

After years of suffocating under her boss’s scrutiny, whale biologist Zoe Morgan finally lands a job as director of a tagging project in Hervey Bay, Australia. Success Down Under all but guarantees her the promotion of a lifetime, and Zoe won’t let anything—or anyone—stand in her way. Not the whale voices she suddenly hears in her head, not the ex who won’t take no for an answer, and especially not the gorgeous figment of her imagination who keeps saving her from the fiery hell of her dreams.

Gavin Cassidy hasn’t been called to help a human Wyldling in over a year, which is fine by him. Still blaming himself for the death of his partner, he keeps the guilt at bay by indulging in every excess his rock star persona affords. That is, until he’s summoned to protect Zoe from hungry Fyre Elementals and learns his new charge is the key to restoring order in the dying Dreaming. He never expects to fall for the feisty Dr. Morgan…nor does he realize he may have to sacrifice the woman he loves to save an entire country.

REVIEW: 4 out of 5 stars

Inhale was kindly provided to me by the author Kendall Grey in exchange for my honest review and is the first book in the Just Breathe series.

Dr. Zoe Morgan, a whale biologist and activist is plagued by an event of a past research trip gone wrong and has landed a job as Director of a whale tagging project in Hervey Bay, Australia.

Gavin Cassidy (sigh) is the lead singer in a rock band and also a Sentinel – a protector of Human Wyldlings from Fyre Elemental attacks in the parallel world of the Dreaming. 

Strangers in reality, inseparable in dreams… Describes the relationship between Zoe and Gavin perfectly. Zoe as a main heroine was wonderful; she was determined, sassy and took no rubbish from anyone. She is also a Wyldling, able to hear the whales and could be the key to restoring order in the Dreaming. Gavin certainly lived up to the bad boy, rock star image; he is plagued by guilt and blames himself for the death of his partner and doesn’t feel he is suited to his Sentinel role. The emotions were written well and you felt a connection to both characters and can’t help but root for a happy ending for both despite the possible outcome of them being together.

I really enjoyed the premise of Inhale; it was refreshingly unique and written in a way that was entertaining and believable. I won’t go into the plot to avoid spoilers but Ms Grey takes us on a fantasy adventure between the realms of the dreaming where things aren’t as they seem as well as the reality of Realis.

The mythology, fantasy and folklore elements were a strong presence and captured the complexity of Inhale perfectly; Ms Grey has certainly put a lot of work in this story. The concept I found to be fascinating and entertaining.

I absolutely adored the Australian setting, being a Sydney-sider myself it was great to see the references to places I actually know of and the way Ms grey described the beautiful Hervey Bay location was perfect.

Each of the secondary characters, from our villain Scarlet a Fyre elemental to Adriene, Zoe’s amazing best friend and even Gavin’s mentor and friend Yileen were all engaging and enjoyable to read about.

Ms Grey has a wonderfully vivid imagination and has weaved an incredibly compelling story, Inhale flowed well and was written beautifully; each of the characters were realistic and likeable despite their flaws.

Overall, Inhale is a wonderful, enjoyable story that left me wanting more; Ms Grey wove a deep and complex tale that kept me captivated from start to finish. Inhale has mature themes so definitely for the older reader.

Book 2, Exhale has an anticipated June 2012 release date.