Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter series by Nikki Jefford

Aurora Sky (Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter #1)
Nikki Jefford
Published: 27th November, 2012
CreateSpace
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Age: Young Adult
From: ebook freebie purchased on Amazon

Summary:

If there is one thing eighteen-year-old Aurora Sky wants, it’s to get off the iceberg she calls home. Being kissed before she graduates wouldn’t hurt either.

Then a near-fatal car wreck changes everything. Government agents step in and save Aurora’s life in exchange for her services as a vampire hunter. In Alaska. Basically she’s a glorified chew toy. All thanks to her rare blood type, which sends a vampire into temporary paralysis right before she has to finish the job… by hand.

Now Aurora’s only friends are groupies of the undead and the only boy she can think about may very well be a vampire.

(Mature YA, new adult series that becomes progressively more mature. Underage drinking, sexual situations, mild language and blood sucking.)

What I liked: The origin or the vampires and how they came about was different from what I had expected. Honestly, I hadn’t even expected any form of an explanation about where vampires came from so that was an interesting tidbit to have. The story was well paced, and while I had a few hangups about the overall plot of the story it was interesting and I really enjoyed it. Aurora was a good character to follow, although I didn’t always understand her actions in the book. I feel like she didn’t show much about how all of this is affecting her either, from what I was able to gather Aurora always had a bad relationship with her parents. I couldn’t get why, so that remains a mystery to me. How Aurora coped with being told she was a vampire hunter actually seemed reasonable. She was in shock, she wanted to pretend that it never happened and that it wasn’t real. I get it, and it made part of the story interesting.

What I didn’t like: The beginning was really weird. Specificially where Aurora was first learning about how she is now a vampire hunter against her own free will. Plus, Aurora is eighteen which means she is no longer considered a minor and her mom has no say in being able to sign Aurora over. Seventeen would have been a little more believable for her mom having the right to do that, but at eighteen no. Also, I always have a problem with books where the main character say that she’ll never hook up with [insert name of that guy here] for whatever reason and then not much later you realize that she has a thing for him and then when they hook up it moves really quickly.  It just really bugs me because it sort of seems forced, especially in this book. Continuing slightly in that vein, I didn’t even get the chance to know Denise before she was cast aside. She was supposed to be Aurora’s friend and if she took so much interest in Aurora’s life before the beginning of the book, I seriously don’t understand the sudden cold shoulder.

Overall Review: This was a really interesting start ot the series, although I have no idea where this story could go after this. I mean, everything seemed wrapped up rather neatly by the end except for a few last minute additions to the story. Overall, I thought the story was satisfying but it wasn’t something that wow’d me. I am curious enough to continue on with the story though to see what happens in the next few books with Aurora, should be interesting!

Recommend?:  Sure, why not! If you’re a fan of vampires you might want to try out the first book to see how you like it!

Goodreads: 3.7/5 Amazon: 4.3/5 Barnes&Noble: 4.1/5 BookDepository: -/5

US Paperback | Audible | UK Kindle | UK Paperback | Kobo | iBooks

My Rating: 3.5/5

Rated Materials:
Cover: 3.6
Idea: 3.5
Story: 3.6
Characters: 3.4

Northern Bites (Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter #2)
Nikki Jefford
Published: 27th July, 2013
Acorn Valley Publishing
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Age: Young Adult
From: Xpresso Book Tours

Summary:

Love bites.
Probation sucks.

Thanks to Dante’s recklessness, Aurora is now partners with Valerie: the redheaded, backstabbing vixen.

Dante is in full flirt mode. Fane’s tactics are more ruthless. Something carnal has awakened in Aurora and neither boy is helping tame her cravings.

When a member of the unit’s team is found dead, Aurora and Valerie are sent after a vampire in Sitka, but Aurora suspects the killer’s much closer to home

What I liked: Aurora grew between the two books it seems like. In this one she seemed more assertive about her position but she managed to wiggle in down time occasionally. It was an interesting way to open up the story, with the characters trying to solve the suspected murder of a local pizza boy. I liked the later mystery in the book, and there were some interesting character twist that I hadn’t expected when I first started this book. I was also delighted with the comical moments in the story that lifted the mood, and how we learned more about the who AB- situation surrounding the characters and what it might really mean for them. The story was, again, paced well in regards to how the story paned out and things were revealed.

What I didn’t like: I’m really not okay with the thing Fane did, because it really didn’t make any sense to me. Maybe it’s just a thing we’ll learn the meaning behind in the next installment but it still bothers me quite a bit because Fane seemed to change who he was.

Overall Review: While I’m still really not sure about the who reason behind what Fane did in this book, for the most part I really did like the story and how I came to know Valerie a bit more in this book and was given the chance to understand her the best I could right now. She’s different from the way she seemed in the first book, but I’m curious to see what unfolds about the past of the different character in the future books!

Recommend?: If you liked this one I’d hope you read it! It’s rather interesting and a good read to see what comes after the ending of the first book!

Goodreads: 4.1/5 Amazon: 4.5/5 Barnes&Noble: 4.4/5 BookDepository: -/5

US Paperback | Audible | UK Kindle |  UK Paperback | Kobo | iBooks

My Rating: 3.6/5

Rated Materials:
Cover: 3.4
Idea: 3.7
Story: 3.6
Characters: 3.7

Stakeout (Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter #2.5)
Nikki Jefford
Published: 4th February, 2014
Acorn Valley Publishing
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Age: Young Adult
From: Xpresso Book Tours

Summary:

Noel Harper got a second chance at life when the government recruited her as an undercover vampire informant. Since the day they brought her back from the good-as-dead, she has wanted to prove herself worthy.

When a member of her investigative unit is murdered, Noel is paired up with a vampire hunter named Dante to spy on a suspect in Fairbanks. The problem? They’re not the only ones on stakeout. Taking down murderous vampires is one thing. Dealing with the past is another. But this time, Noel isn’t letting fear win. She’s calling in help from the other side and discovers a shocking secret along the way.

What I liked: Stakeout is Noel’s version of what was going on during Northern Bites and helped shed some light on what Noel was doing during the book and helped the reader understand what she did during Northern Bites. This book helped me get to know Noel better than I had been able to during Northern Bites not to mention I understood more about all the situations going on with Fane, Noel, and Dante in that book. Noel turned out to be quite different from what I was expecting the girl to be, and her past isn’t what I was expecting from her although to be honest I should have guessed in a way that some of those things were there with what very few clues we were given about Noel in the second book. Moreover, Stakeout is a really insightful to what happened in Northern Bites that I really wanted to know and helped me understand what was really happening that Aurora wasn’t aware of. Plus, Noel finds out things about the organization they work at that, well, she shouldn’t have dug up. Things she learned through her own methods that a certain someone surely wouldn’t want her to know that most of the others don’t know. I’m curious how that will affect everything going into the third book, Bad Blood.

What I didn’t like: I sometimes felt like Noel was a bit whiny about how she went on about all the guys preferred Aurora to her. I mean seriously, some rather serious stuff happens and she’s concerned about these guys preferring Aurora when Noel has better things to do! It a little disconcerting quite frankly.

Overall Review: This book was a great way to get in the head of Noel and find things out about the behind the scenes things that happened in Northern Bites and makes itself an important part to the series despite being a novella since it holds some key information that we likely would have never learned had this novella not been written. It’s a great addition and makes you question some of the things that will likely come into play either in the next book, Bad Blood, or later on down the series.

Recommend?: If you read Northern Lights and really need an explanation about what happened with Noel and Fane, do give this a read so that you know!

Goodreads: 4.2/5 Amazon: 4.6/5 Barnes&Noble: 4.5/5

UK Kindle | Kobo | iBooks

My Rating: 3.8/5

Rated Materials:
Cover: 3.8
Idea: 3.7
Story: 3.9
Characters: 3.9

Bad Blood (Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter #3)
Nikki Jefford
Published: 12th June, 2014
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Age: Young Adult
From: Xpresso Book Tours

Summary:

Aurora returns from boot camp to a new assignment, an unwelcome roommate, and the increasingly amorous attentions of a certain vampire hunter.

College is starting, and so is Aurora’s undercover work at a network of swanky parties known as “Tastings” for high rolling vampires who like their blood laced with fine wine. But Aurora’s not the only one on the prowl. An underground investigation is under way to find out who killed one of Anchorage’s most prominent vampires… and Aurora is a prime suspect.

What I liked: Bad Blood continues six months from the ending of Northern Bites, skipping over the six months she spent at boot camp for the organization she now works for. Aurora has come through quite a lot of change since book one, and it’s especially noticeable in this book. After what happened in Northern Bites she isn’t quite sure who she should trust anymore (not that I blame her), or even what the truth is or who’s been lying to her despite what she’s being told. Of course, it’s not like she can do anything but pretend that she’s fine and that her head full of questions like such isn’t bothering her as much as it really is. Despite the different pacing that this book took compared to the other three I read, there’s an underlying feeling of everything coming together for a much bigger plot that is going to pull all these characters in. Quite a few things seem to be pulling things together (but I’m not revealing what) in a manner that gives hints about the brewing storm. I also enjoyed seeing how Valerie and Aurora seem to have come to some sort of an understanding since they’re not completely horrible to one another all the time like before when things first started. I also like out latest addition to the “team”, Selene. I enjoyed her part in this story and I can’t wait to see what she brings to future books in the series!

What I didn’t like: Melcher. He really did something to irritate me greatly in this book and it seemed senseless for him to do such. I don’t want to elaborate on it, but if you read it, you’ll see (but I mean, your level of concern about what he does may vary. It just hit a nerve with me)

Overall Review: A great followup to see what is going on with the characters at this point, Bad Blood has a way of promising more shenanigans in the coming books that will surely affect the characters. Although the pace was slowed down compared to the other books I’ve read so far, that makes me wonder just what exactly these characters will have to deal with in the near future. With everything that has happened not just in this book, but in the past books as well, you can be certain something is brewing under the surface and will come to fruition sooner rather than later.

Recommend?: If you’ve made it to Stakeout I hope you read this book so that you can see everything that’s happening after those first three books, and pick up on the things to come for this series.

Goodreads: 4.2/5 Amazon: 4.7/5 Barnes&Noble: 4.4/5

US Paperback | UK Kindle | UK Paperback | Kobo | iBooks

My Rating: 3.6/5

Rated Materials:
Cover: 3.4
Idea: 3.8
Story: 3.7
Characters: 3.6

Hunting Season (Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter #4)
Nikki Jefford
Published: 3rd March, 2015
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Age: Young Adult
From: Xpresso Book Tours

Summary:

It’s better to be a hunter, not prey.

Ever since her partner was kidnapped, Aurora Sky has been on a personal mission to get him back. To do that she needs the vampire responsible for destroying her life.

In order to have a snowball’s chance at success, she’ll have to team up with her most loyal friends, including a certain vampire in black with a provoking talent for distraction.

Old cravings aren’t easily quenched, nor past passions.

With knowledge comes danger and Aurora is at risk on all sides.

What I liked: After the events of Bad Blood Aurora and her friends have to figure out a way to rescue Dante from the people who took him. The book gives a little recap on what’s happened and, while paced at the beginning a little too fast for me, it kind of worked in a way? I’m also glad Aurora was able to figure out her feelings and managed to also (sometimes) compartmentalize the romance so that things got done. I also enjoyed how we finally learned a great deal more about Fane and his past, it gave him more depth to me and I enjoyed learning about him. After everything that happened in Bad Blood things are shaping up in an interesting way.

What I didn’t like: I kind of had a problem with watching their plans go astray. For me, it felt a little predictable (it might be because I just finished a book before this that also had the characters make a plan that went astray a few times) and so it was the least interesting part for me. Valerie’s actions in this book also confused me. One minute you thought you knew her and the next she’s doing something that I couldn’t understand her reasoning behind at all.

Overall Review: This is a good next installment to the series, one that I enjoyed as well. I think the big twist of the series (what the hunters really are and what the agency really does) was an interesting bit and while I did kind of guess it back in book one, now that I know for certain my guess was right I still was surprised by the reveal.

Recommend?: This was a good addition and I look forward to seeing what happens to these characters in the next book!

Goodreads: 4.2/5 Amazon: 4.7/5 Barnes&Noble: 4.5/5 BookDepository: -/5

US Paperback | UK Kindle | UK Paperback | Kobo | iBooks

My Rating: 3.6/5

Rated Materials:
Cover: 3.9
Idea: 3.7
Story: 3.5
Characters: 3.3

Don’t forget to check out the rest of the books in the series!

Evil Red (Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter #2.6)
Nikki Jefford
Published: 2nd March, 2014
Genre: Supernatural
Age: Young Adult

Summary:

L.A. is one tough city, especially while sharing a trailer with four thieving sisters.

Valerie’s plans for a better life and Hollywood grandeur are interrupted after a fateful stabbing lands her in Anchorage, Alaska where government agents expect her to play the role of a vampire hunting La Femme Nikita.

The redheaded vixen is back in her own novelette.

Whiteout (Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter #5)
Nikki Jefford
Releasing: June 2015
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Age: Young Adult

Summary:

Life on the run is no winter picnic, especially when Aurora’s partner sees himself as the sheriff, not the outlaw.

It’s a cat and mouse game across the Last Frontier with agents and vampires out for revenge.

Aurora has never fought so hard to stay alive, even as each day takes her further away from Fane. Will they ever be reunited? Or is Aurora destined to remain in Alaska with Dante forever?

Check out the rest of the tour here!

About the Author

Bookaholic, nature girl, and animal lover.

Nikki Jefford is a third generation Alaskan who found paradise in the not-so-tropical San Juan Islands (WA) where she is, once more, neighbors with Canada in a town without a single traffic light.

She married the love of her life, Sebastien, while working as a teaching assistant in France. They reside with their Westie, Cosmo in Friday Harbor.

Loves fictional bad boys and heroines who kick butt.

Links:

Website | Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook

GIVEAWAY*!

• Signed copy of any book in the Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter series by Nikki Jefford of winners choice

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Books and Ashes is not responsible for any lost, damaged, or unreceived materials that you may win. Books and Ashes does not handle the materials, or have any input on who receives a prize. In the case of a Books and Ashes Sponsored Giveaway Random.org will choose the winner. US and international followers eligible where applicable.