Mortal Obligation (The Dark Betrayal Trilogy Book 1)

Mortal Obligation is a fast-paced story of Ree who's teenage life is thrown into a race to save humanity against the Dark Ones. Nichole Chase has a very captivating writing style which brings the reader in and keeps them turning each page until the end.

I really enjoyed this - it's a solid YA paranormal with an interesting twist on vampires. The characters and storyline were all highly enjoyable - looking forward to the next installment in the series!

From the moment I picked this book up I was enthralled. I stayed up far too late only to wake up and begin reading again. If I were forced to think of something negative to say it would be that the characters never listened to me no matter how loud I shouted or that it ended. It is evident that Nichole Chase is a master storyteller and I look forward to her future endeavors, not to mention the rest of Ree's story. If you like supernatural beings, mythology, excitement, and romance, you will love Mortal Obligation!

I absolutely loved Mortal Obligation and Mortal Defiance. It is one of those books you can't put down and you stay up until 3am reading and you only put it down because you have to get a couple hours of sleep before work. Not so patiently waiting for Immortal Grave.... I can't wait to find out what happens!!!!!!

This book seemed like a good read, everyone seemed to have good reviews for it.Im not sure why but i just couldnt get into it.I kept stopping and puttng it done and looking for something else to read.I found it a bit predictable and the characters to me had no substance expecially the main character she seemed to have nothing i could connect with no obvious flaws or anything special about her.I also didnt like that fact that there were too many side characters they seemed more like decorations who sometimes said something sarcastic or funny.The story was also way to fast paced i felt my head spinning trying to catch up with what the hell was happening a good story teller knows how to make a story flow naturally but this seemed almost forced to me.But all in all i found it ok but it just didnt do it for me hopefully who ever else buys it gets more enjoyment than i did out of it.

MORTAL OBLIGATION is the first book in Nichole Chase’s Young Adult DARK BETRAYAL TRILOGY. Ree Mckenna is your typical 17year old senior in high school, hoping for her first kiss and working her first job to earn money for college. Family life had been difficult since the death of her older brother Tristan, and Ree is continually haunted by nightmares and visions. Thinking someone is watching and waiting, Ree soon finds herself in a world where nightmares really do come true.

Ree’s metamorphosis from teenage girl to the only thing standing between life and the ruination of mankind is abrupt. One moment Ree and her friends are on their way to a concert and the next, they are on the run from what can only be described as demons with fangs. Oh, and to complicate matters, Ree can manipulate the power around her, and her friends have now developed fangs of their own. They find a kindred soul in Sophie, Ree’s boss, but soon learn that Sophie is the person who will aid the young teens on their journey to save the world.

The background into their family histories will shock and amaze each other as the teens learn to cope with their new-found abilities and formulate a plan to keep Ree safe until the ultimate test. Ree is the only one who had never realized that life was different. Each with their own stories to tell, Ree will learn that she is the one mortal who has the power to deal the death blow in the final battle between good and the Dark Ones. But all the planning and power will not help when she learns the identity of the one hoping to end her life.

There is a love triangle forming between Ree, her bestfriend and guardian Paden, and Roland- a reformed Dark One who trains and prepares the young changelings for a potential fight to the death. But there is something about Ree that calls to Roland, and Ree is struck at the animosity and jealousy that continues to flare between Paden and Roland. Let’s hope Nichole writes a HEA that will not break our hearts.

MORTAL OBLIGATION is a fascinating look at a ‘different’ type of vampire storyline. With a history that can be traced to the gods and goddesses from a different time, the novel is a wonderful Young Adult addition to any collection. The story is fast paced, with plenty of action and interaction, and a little romance to keep the heart a-flutter. A great start to a new series.

Mortal Obligation Book 1
Nichole Chase
Reviewed By S. Bree High
Different take on the normal paranormal that is out there right now. This book is a fascinating new look at vampires and mythology. I read this book for a YATR read book contest. In saying that though this book was recommended strongly. The price of the book, cannot be beat, it was FREE! I have no idea why because it was totally awesome!!! I would buy this book. I will buy the next books in the series.

Artistic and happy that is how I would describe our lovely Ree. (Alastriana which we find out is way more than just a name) She has had loss in her life, her older brother died. (Tristan) This happened before the book starts, but you see that it had an impact on her emotionally. Paden her brother's best friend, has basically taken over the role of her protector and older brother...or more? They were on the way to a concert one night and everything changed. Life will not be the same again it seems. We find out there is a connection there and it is not just with Paden. Can he ever really be what Ree needs? This is an interesting twist in the story, and it involves Ree and all of her friends. I liked that! They were a whole cast of characters each with their own distinct personalities. Honestly though, Ree has the fate of the world on her shoulders. WHEH!! I did fine myself crushing on Paden Just a bit here and there. He was just so nice and yet had an edge of danger too. I think that was appealing. I cannot deny that Roland. Well just read the book, OK?? Trust me!! I love a reformed bad boy and well he had that in spades baby. I think honestly he is my favorite character but I will allow you to read this and decide for yourself.
The Dark Betrayal Trilogy starts off fresh and engaging. It is a different storyline that the others out there and I can't wait to see where the story goes next for Ree and her friends.
I really loved this book. I absolutely feel invested in the characters. If you want action and romance this book is for you. If you don't want an interesting storyline, I suggest you read something else. Bravo Nichole Chase. I am looking forward towards the next one.

Mortal Obligation is by far one of the best YA books i've read, ever! I loved all of the characters, the flirty moments, the action, and the humor. While other teenagers are worrying about mundane problems, Ree is tasked with the job of having to save the world from the Dark Ones, which are bad vampires who want to enslave the humans. I was so intertwined, I had to keep flipping the page to find out what happened. I love the chemistry between Ree, Roland, and Paden and the twist at the end of the story. I can't wait for the next installment in this series!! Highly recommended!

Covers and interesting summaries can be... well, misleading. I've had more than a few let-downs. The books I read before Mortal Obligation were one of those let-downs. So naturally, I approached this book not knowing what to expect. I tried not to be too excited, for fear of it being another let-down. Well, I shouldn't have. Because this book just... wow. It was amazing, and everything I needed to get me back into that enthusiastic reading stage. Not satisfied? Here's why:

AN AWESOME, KICK-ASS HEROINE
Need I explain this? I love kick-ass heroines, and Ree isn't an exception. I love how she doesn't just sit there and wait for things to happen, or for others to tell her what to do/solve her problems. She gets up and does them herself. Granted, her way doesn't always succeed, and her rather fiery temper has gotten in the way a couple times, but what is a good story without a couple fails and wrong turns? Ree was brave. She held herself together though tough times, and kept a relatively calm mind. No rash decisions, no what-the-heck moments. This girl's made of pure awesome.

And her name. Her full name's Alastriana, but her nickname's Ree. I'm honestly not sure how that came about, but I did think that was really cool. And Alastriana, while I've never heard of it before, it is a lovely name, too.

A LOVE TRIANGLE THAT WORKS
Mkay. Many have heard me complaining about this, and I have to admit - I do complain a lot about love triangles that just don't work. There's that guy, then there's this indecisive heroine, then there's another guy, and the way she bounces back and forth between them makes me want to scream. Not working. But the author wrote her love triangle in a way that made it work. I found myself caught between the two guys, too. I can't choose a team - they're both amazing, not to mention extremely hot.

Paden was protective, kind, and charming. He took care of Ree and was genuinely concerned with her well-being in a way that was... well, almost brotherly. He wasn't stalker-ish, nor did he press in on Ree's privacy. He's a really sweet guy.

Then there's Roland. He seems to have two sides to his personality. One minute he's all sweet and charming, then he's snarky and sarcastic the next. He's unlike Paden, who keeps a pretty consistent character throughout the story, but this change in character made Roland really interesting. And that dark, mysterious past of his that the author kept hinting at throughout the story? I want to know more!

They've both got their own personalities, and they both mean different things to Ree. But you can see that they both really care for her, and it's really... sweet

AN IRICATE STORYLINE
I loved how the author took a common topic: gods and goddesses, and added her own twist to it. She had goddesses and gods from all different religions and cultures, and mixed them together. The idea with Darklings and Dark Ones was an interesting one. It was a bit jarring to learn about how immortality amongst the characters worked, and I felt a little bad for Ree. I'm really curious to find out how this all works. The cliff-hanger ending didn't really help - it left me wanting to read more! This was a pretty quick read, and so we weren't given much time with the characters and the author's idea, but I'm really looking forward to re-visiting the world that the author created.

One thing that didn't really sit right in my mind was how quickly Ree and her friends absorbed and believed everything. If you went from normal to shooting green light out of your hands, or if you watched your own best friend shoot green from her hands and then you grew fangs, wouldn't you be at least a little panicky? Wouldn't you freak out? And if someone you thought you knew showed up claiming that you were descended from gods and goddesses, would you believe them straightaway? I kind of felt like their reactions weren't really realistic, as I probably wouldn't believed or absorbed everything as quickly as the characters from Mortal Obligation did.

There's a little bit of everything: gods and goddesses, action, mystery, and romance. The dark/uncertain pasts and futures of Ree and her friends were briefly touched upon in book one, and I'm really looking forward to seeing how the author develops this in book two.

This story is an interesting twist on vampires and children of the Gods. Not just Greek Gods, but Gods of many cultures and countries. It was a little hard to keep them all straight and some of them I had never heard of. Vampires are from another planet and waging a war on Earth and the children of the Gods must take up the battle and win so humanity can exist in peace. I really liked the story and the characters. Ree is the main characters and Paden is the boy she loves. He is destined to protect her and keep her safe during the war. He loves her too, but has a hard time justifying it I think. He was rather miffed at him a few times just like Ree was, but I am hoping he will finally get it together and let her know how he really feels. Roland was very intriguing and I am wondering if he and Ree will end up spending some time together while Paden figures out exactly what he wants. Great story and I highly recommend it!

I was really excited to get into Ree's world after reading the summary of Mortal Obligation. And my excitement was generously rewarded as I was swept up in this great story.

What I liked: 1) The Guardians. How they are...created, or tapped as Guardians is pretty cool. 2) Roland. Okay, I'm majorly crushing on this guy. He seems to be super sweet, but also kinda dangerous at the same time. 3) And then of course there's Paden. Strong, sorta silent type whose nursing an unrequited crush? Let's say it together now, LOVE TRIANGLE! There were some incredibly sweet scenes with Paden that just made me want to sigh. 4) The battle scene. This was one of the best written battle scenes I've read in a while. Seriously, I was holding my breath at one point. 5) I didn't expect the killer twist at the end. Going back and thinking about it, I was like, oh, man. I should have seen that coming! But I didn't. :)

What I didn't like: 1) It's a little slow on the uptick. It took me a bit to get into the story. Of course once I did get into it, I didn't emerge until I was finished.

Overall thoughts: This is a great start to The Dark Betrayal Trilogy. It opens up a new world full of interesting characters, a new twist on paranormal concepts, and a different backdrop. I can't wait to see where the story goes next for Ree and her friends.

I love when a new book that incorporates the Gods and their gifts comes out. I don't know why it intrigues me so much but it does and I enjoy reading the interpretations of the different myths that authors have for their characters and stories.

Ree and her friends had a great mix of personalities. They are all extremely loyal to each other from the beginning. MORTAL OBLIGATION had a great pace to it. The action and training of the teens was well written and engaging. There was some pretty good twists at the end that I in no way saw coming. I enjoyed the love triangle, I feel both of the romantic interests have enough positive and negative things going for them to make things interesting and it added some great jealousy moments to the book. The biggest complaint I had about the book is the ease that which Ree and her friends believed and accepted all the God gifts and roles they are to play in Ree's Destiny. They were mostly like COOL bring it on, I have vampire teeth hahah (very much paraphrased they didn't really sound like that) when I felt they should have been a bit freaked out at what was happening. All in all this was a great debut novel from a new author. I was kept interested throughout the book and I would enjoy reading what comes next.

I first discovered this book on Facebook from other authors sharing it. I read the description and decided to check it out. So glad I did! I fell in love! It has a different twist on Vampires that I had never read. And let me say that I have loved everything about Vampires since I was a little girl! (I blame my mother! Shes the same way. lol) I really enjoyed this book and the next one after this. Its named Mortal Defiance. Im having such a hard time trying to choose who I want Ree to be with! Paden is the boy she's known all her life who she never paid much attention to until her hormones kicked in. Roland is someone she feels a connection to but doesnt understand why. There is only one other series besides this one that I cannot pick one guy over the other! I recommend this book and series to anyone who loves Vampires and is looking for something a little different!! Its really amazing!!

There was definitely a twist to this author's vampires, which to me is a nice change. Am I ready to accept her explanation?...I'm not sure, but I did want to read on even if I wasn't fully accepting her logic. I did think that the characters in the book were all too accepting of their fate...they all had significant physical changes and actually killed someone/thing and all seemed to take it in stride. I think the uninhibited acceptance on behalf of the main characters is what pulled this down to 4 stars for me...There were other things that the characters struggled with in the book and those struggles were written brilliantly, I am just not sure I was buying the way the characters were like ok, my hands glow green or now I have fangs without some serious emotions. Having said that, the relationships between the characters were brilliantly presented. I find their innocence to be a breath of fresh air. I have read a ton of paranormal romance and yet, this author made it seem new all over again. I could really connect with Ree and the emotions she was feeling. As the first book in the trilogy ended I was definitely wanting more and I am going to start on the second book today.

Mortal Obligation is an strange and unique twist of paranormal and scifi. With a detailed mix of mythology and supernatural being; this story transforms into an Xmen like group that is dedicated to the fight against evil. Admittedly, I struggle with the background of this story. The mixture was very unique and creative, but I felt it was difficult in envision. Even with this obstacle it was surprising easy to continue, and overcome the this obstacle to find an enticing and enjoyable read. The characters prove entertaining and interesting that add to a fulfilling experience. As a debuting novel for this series it is obvious that this was the first book, and the novel appears ready to take off from here. With the momentum that was previewed in concluding book one; I anticipate that will surpass my expectations.

What to say..what to say..how about AMAZING books! As soon as I started reading the characters drew me in! It was so great to again find such a different spin on YA paranormal. I feel in love with Nichole's styling of writing, I found it great and the characters interaction/feelings going on were realistic making it easy to connect with them well reading! I felt it was paranormal with a twist, action packed and has a sweet romance! Im still stuck on who I like more Paden or Roland eek! I was running and buying book two before I even finished book one! I beg you go see what I am talking about and fall in love with the series like I did! You wont be disappointed!

First things first: I have never ever had the character on the front cover of a book match exactly what my mind creates the person to look as I am reading... *Hats off* to Nichole Chase and her mother-in-law Lisa on the cover creation.. O.k.. so with that being said we all know it's what happened on the pages after the cover that we all want to know about.

With hundreds of new paranormal books being released every year it is really hard for an author to separate herself from the rest with an intriguing story the readers will remember. Nichole Chase has done just that with Mortal Obligation. You have the classic paranormal creatures, mythology, love triangles, great friendships, humor, action and this is all with Nichole adding in hints of whats to come in future books as well as a HUGE shocker that you will never see coming. I have already marked my calender for Mortal Defiance (RELEASE DATE:December 2011).

I recently moved to the Savannah area, and one of the things I completely loved about Nichole Chase's book was all the details that made the area come alive and served as a kind of extra, vibrant character in the book. The characters in the book are fleshed-out, real-life characters with fantastic problems and amazing abilities. They handle the changes thrown at them with a combination of witty humor and expected confusion with a steep learning curve.

I loved the complicated back-story that allowed the reader to get a full feel for the twining mythologies that make up Nichole Chase's world in 'Mortal Obligation.' Each character brought a different power, story, and skill-set to a mythic world-wide battle of good versus evil...with some twists! I absolutely loved Ree, who managed to balance a quiet, artistic seriousness with strong, kick-butt attitude. And romance! Paden and Roland were awesome as rivals. Paden had a sweeter, protective side, with something more blossoming underneath. Roland...he didn't hide a thing he was thinking, and he challenged Ree to embrace her new destiny fully.

The end provided a great twist that leaves me hungry for more from Nichole Chase! This is definitely a fantastic beginning to an amazing series!

As a lifelong lover of young adult fiction and an 8th grade English teacher, I was thrilled to find this great story by Nichole Chase. The book is witty, adventurous, and has just the right hint of romance for YA. I immediately connected with the characters and was drawn so far into Ree and Paden's journey that I couldn't stop reading! I recommend this book for both adults and teens, and am sure you'll fall in love with this story as much as I did. I know I'll be pre-ordering the second and third books just as soon as I can! I wouldn't want to miss a second of these fabulous books!!

Okay, wow. At the beginning of this book, I was bored. I was on Spring Break and had no other books to read. It didn't take long for me to be hooked, though. Now look at me, looking everyday to see if Nichole has given extra information on Immortal Grave. It's amazingly paced, fun, and I have to admit I love Roland's attitude. Excellent. The love triangle constantly has me saying "Choose Paden, choose Paden!", and at times "Choose Roland! Come on!". I can't decide. I have a love/hate relationship with love triangles where I can't decide who I like better. Ree is a perfect character, I love her. Ahh, I think I'm going to go reread this. I never thought I'd be in a situation where I'm rereading a book while waiting for another one in the series. You did this to me, Nichole Chase. I just... Wow. All I have to say is she better be working!

Now that I have started at the beginning I love this trilogy! I had started at the third book and was totally lost and had no clue what was going on. But when I realized I had started on the last book I felt so silly. I'm loving these books! So glad I figured out I was on the wrong book! ?

Chase's debut novel was a beauty. It had humor, loss, and just the right amount of romance. The characters were endearing, genuine and believable. I loved Weylin's character as well as the depth of Roland's. Great beginning to what I'm sure will be an amazing trilogy. Definitely getting book 2.

I'm not gonna lie, I love paranormal stories, and seems like paranormal young adult stories are on the rise.

I love this story, and while it is not a new story, it is a new take on the subject.

I know Ree will complete her task.

Moving on to book 2!

I bought this book because it was only 99 cents on my kindle! I was so pleasantly surprised with the book that I immediately bought the second and I am waiting with bated breath for the release of Immortal Grave! I highly recommend this book to anyone who like young adult paranormal books! Great Job Nichole Chase! I love your characters and the bond between them. Keep up the great work!!

I put my life on hold for two days and used every bit of free time I had to read the book. Could not put it down for the life of me. It is an awesome read and extremely engaging! I loved it, simply put.
It picks up quickly and just keeps going from there never slowing down even at the very end. You can't help but be drawn into the story and characters. I cannot wait for the next book in there series! If you are even just remotely interested in this genre, this book is a MUST READ!

I've read a lot of books over this weekend and this one by far was the most interesting! The story included so many twist that I wasn't expecting. I am a sci-fi fan and a lover of all things Greek Mythology so this was right up my alley! I will be looking forward to seeing the story unfold in the next two books!

Mortal Obligation is a great book. This is a great YA love story even if Padon if being a pigheaded man. Love the description and the plot of this book and can not wait to share it with my daughters.

Totally enjoyed Mortal Obligation, the first book of of the Dark Betrayal Trilogy. Excellent storyline that holds one's attention and makes it hard to find a place to stop reading! I'm looking forward to the next book already!

I just happened to be browsing for a good book to read and another author posted this on fb! Thank gods she did! It got me addicted from the first page! I'm usually picky with the books I read! But this one had so many different elements than the other ooks I've read about gods and godlings! It's a musssttttt read!!!! Can't wait for #3!

At 1st I was skeptical about reading this but a friend kept pushing. I finally gave in & absolutely fell in love with it. Every person I told to read this trilogy felt the same way. I can see this getting turned into a series of movies. I love the characters, the kids in this story are a riot yet serious at the same time. The story itself pulls you in. There are some parts that are just down right hilarious, there where a few times I had to put the book down cause I couldn't stop picturing the situation in my head & couldn't stop laughing. There are no 12 pages of describing a flower pot, there are no boring whatever lets skip over this parts. No dumb girl that has a ridiculously whiny reason for talking herself out of doing something over & over again for 12 chapters. No confusing plot that you have to re-read to figure it out. Just a really phenomenal fast paced story from start to finish. I have been frothing at the mouth for the 3rd & final book of the trilogy. I NEED IT!

I want to say that I'm a full time student with 3 young children so my time is spent on anything but reading for pleasure. This book was impossible to put down! I love how ree has evolved and I'm really looking forward to the final book.

Book one of Dark Betrayal Trilogy is full of surprises for all of Ree's friends in the fact that they all find out that they are all special. In addition to their new abilities and how to use them, Ree learns that her brother may not be dead! This is great book for all ages who enjoy love twists, battles between good and evil, as well as suspenseful endings. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series. Jo-Ann D.

Ree fears she is being followed by something lurking in the shadows. She is right. While out with friends, Ree is attacked. And the world she thought she knew changes in an instant. No longer a typical teenager, she is now the only hope for mankind against a group of deadly vampires called the Dark Ones. And yeah, these guys don't sparkle. Each of her friends are given special powers and become Guardians in order to protect Ree in the battle against the Dark Ones. With only a week left before school, the group must train to use their talents and prepare themselves.

First and foremost this author is one of the sweetest authors I have come across. Just precious! Second, her book totally rocks! The plot is well developed as well as the kickin' tail characters. Out of all the characters in the book, I liked Ree the most. Labeled an art geek in school, she really grew into her new role throughout the week the book takes place. The character I wanted to slap upside the head the most? That would be Paden. Why must he be a butthead in the love department? But yeah I still love him too. I am looking forward to the next book and praying there is as much action, suspense and romance as in this one. Mortal Obligation is definitely a must read book that you're going to love.
*UPDATE* I did forget to mention there is one
whopper of a twist in the book. I was so shocked!!

Although I'm not a YA reader, I absolutely fell in love with the characters of this book and wished they would have been adults in adult situations. None the less the story was fantastic and I can't wait to read book 2 and get my Paden fix! Great book Ms. Chase!