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You are here: Home / A Review / Review: Keeper of Light and Dust by Natasha Mostert

Review: Keeper of Light and Dust by Natasha Mostert

March 24, 2010 by Mandi 16 Comments

Keeper of Light and Dust by Natasha Mostert: Book CoverKeeper of Light and Dust by Natasha Mostert
February 2010 (Paperback release)
Paranormal Thriller
Paperback, 340 pages
Penguin Group (USA)
Reviewed by Karra

Being a Keeper, a woman who meditates and invokes the power of her own chi to protect the warriors that are under her care, Mia Lockhart leads a life that’s anything but boring. Her life encompasses all things martial arts, training as a “vogue” (a martial artist who practices choreographed forms), and the men she protects are fellow martial artists who compete in the extreme world of fighting. Before a charge’s big fight, Mia meditates for a week, revving up her chi, or energy force, before “stepping out” the night before, having an out of body experience into another realm where she discharges her chi to the man she’s protecting. This extra boost of life force typically helps keep the fighter safe and sound during his various fights, which is the goal of a Keeper’s life.

When several fighters simply drop dead, one of them her own charges, Mia’s worried that something unnatural is happening in her seemingly safe world. Despite this weird phenomenon, her best friend Nick decides to enter into a fight, and even though he’s not one of Mia’s charges, she tries to find a way to protect him. Since the men who’ve died so sporadically all did so within days of their own fights, she has no real reason to fear for Nick’s safety, as she can’t find a connection between any of the deaths. Well, not until Adrian Ashton enters their lives and changes all the rules.

Ashton is a gorgeous man who somehow draws Mia’s attentions to not only his perfect fighting skills, but also his incredible mind. He seems to know a lot about the martial arts and when he’s interested in getting a specific tattoo from Mia’s tattoo shop—from Mia herself—her attraction to him grows. He seems like the perfect man, easily enfolding himself into the dojo’s tight knit crew and into their lives. He even becomes Nick’s training partner for the fight, and though he’s a hardcore trainer, Ashton turns Nick into the professional fighter he needs to be in order to win.

So what’s not to like about Adrian Ashton? Well, little does everyone know that he’s a vampire of sorts who steals the chi right out of his opponents through the use of various combat moves.

As this could pose a problem, especially when Ashton makes Nick his next target, it’s up to Mia to figure out the truth behind Ashton’s motives, as well as a way to stop him from draining the life out of the most important man in her life.

Wow. I read this book in one day, even though it’s over 300 pages, just because I couldn’t put it down. Keeper of Light and Dust is such a refreshing, interesting concept in storytelling and chock full of so many martial arts facts that I feel like I should take up wearing a judogi, head down to the local dojo and kick some butt (or fall on said butt) under the guidance of a sensei.

Before I do any of that, though, let me explain why this book is, well, a keeper. We all know that vampires are hot right now in the literary world, and though that theme can get a little stale at times, it’s nice to find an author who can utilize the appeal of vamps but twist their nature around a bit so that instead of gorging on blood, Natasha Mostert’s vamp just gorges himself on the direct life energy of his victims. He literally drains the energy right out of them, all without necessarily spilling any blood. So if you like the thought of vampires but are a bit squeamish, you’ll like Adrian Ashton.

Besides a mysterious martial artist vampire who is hotness on legs, the book is filled with muscle bound fighters and gives a glimpse into the world of fighting and what these men (and perhaps women) go through before competing. The idea that Mia is not only a practicing martial artist herself, a tattoo artist and shop owner, but also a mysterious Keeper who protects the fighters of her choosing, seriously gives the girl some depth. She’s an interesting character and her love triangle between Ashton and Nick reveals her struggles between choosing a man she’s merely attracted to versus a man who’s loved her since childhood. Nick is a sweet guy who’s always known Mia was destined to be his, so not only does he want to cement his place in her life, but also in her heart. Fighting for her, in every sense of the word, is something he knows he must do in order to keep her.

The writing can be confusing at times as facts are simultaneously thrown out, but this doesn’t hinder the story in any way. Also, the reader knows most of Ashton’s secrets before the other characters do, so it makes it a fun experience being the fly on the wall and watching at Mia attempts to unravel the truth that cloaks Adrian Ashton’s very existence.

The ending is realistic, albeit a little sad (or I’m just a sensitive freak), but it ties everything up nicely and makes you wish you had more to read. I thoroughly enjoyed the twists and turns in Keeper of Light and Dust and if Ms. Mostert’s other books are anything like this one, then I can’t wait to read them.

Rating: 5/5

Recent Reviews:
Goodreads

~*Karra*~

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Filed Under: A Review, Five stars, Natasha Mostert, Paranormal Romance, Penguin

Comments

  1. Liz says

    March 24, 2010 at 7:02 am

    Isn't this book utterly awesome? Ms. Mostert writes so well! I love it. So glad you liked it!

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  2. Bells says

    March 24, 2010 at 7:06 am

    Wow 5 of 5. It sounds really good. I think I'll read this one. :)

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  3. Mandy says

    March 24, 2010 at 7:45 am

    Sounds like a bit of a strange concept though; is this Vamp the hero or the nemesis?
    But you've never led me astray before with your 5/5 ones. I'll add it to my list.
    Especially since my whole family has a black belt. Seems necessary! :P

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  4. Mandi says

    March 24, 2010 at 7:50 am

    Nice review Karra – I'm all about the martial arts!! (ok not really, but it sounds bad ass)

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  5. Ladybug says

    March 24, 2010 at 8:04 am

    Superb review, Karra! I had to "run" over to Goodreads and add it on my wishlist. Sounds good and with a little different take on vampires.

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  6. Monroe Dawson says

    March 24, 2010 at 8:37 am

    A 5 out of 5?!?!?! Dang thats an auto buy in my book! Thanks for the great review!

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  7. A Buckeye Girl Reads says

    March 24, 2010 at 10:16 am

    Great review! I'm off to add this to my want to read list! I love books that make you read them in one sitting when you aren't expecting them to.

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  8. Blodeuedd says

    March 24, 2010 at 10:34 am

    A 5, now I am curious. I must have heard about thsi one before, the name sounds so familiar

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  9. Tori aka @ggs_closet says

    March 24, 2010 at 11:12 am

    A 5? Nice review.
    Ever since reading Lori Forter's Ultimate Fighting series I've been strangely intrigued by the whole concept. OK, I'm lying. The thought of built sexy sweaty guys fighting in low slung shorts turns me on.
    And vamps too? Hot damn…I'm getting it.

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  10. Dizzy Girl says

    March 24, 2010 at 11:27 am

    I am a massive Mostert fan!! Her other book, Season of the Witch is one of my all time faves. And I loved, loved Keeper too. Mandy that's what makes this guy so fascinating! Both hero and nemesis! Great review Karra!

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  11. Smokinhotbooks says

    March 24, 2010 at 11:38 am

    Hi-YAAAAAAAH! Sorry just had to get that out of my system.

    Great review!

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  12. The Queen B says

    March 24, 2010 at 12:03 pm

    Ooh, sounds really interesting. I think I'll be checking this one out :)

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  13. heidenkind says

    March 24, 2010 at 12:16 pm

    Sounds like a very cool concept; I might just have to try this one. :)

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  14. ~*Karra*~ says

    March 24, 2010 at 12:47 pm

    The book's fantastic. Honestly. When I read, I try to figure out how the author will tie up all loose ends to wrap up the story, and the ending was different than any I expected.

    Mandy: Ashton is the "villain" but he's also not entirely bad. Just kind of misunderstood and in need of a good "straightening out."

    I'm so glad so many of you will give this book a shot! It's not my usual cup of tea, but a surprisingly good read, none the less. :)

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  15. Heather (DarklyReading) says

    March 24, 2010 at 6:40 pm

    Wow this sounds like an interesting book, I haven't heard of it before. Great review!

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