'Are you going to stand there all day?' she asked. The sway she had over his deadened heart. He didn't think he would ever get over the powerful effect she had on him. There was a wistful smile on her face that enchanted him.

Her hands were folded behind her back as she leaned back on her heels before tilting forward again.

She didn't know he was there as she studied the bindings of the books with interest. Does she have a say in her life or even in fictional societies do we justify men making decisions for women? Overall I think the series sends some very problematic messages to teenagers that require a secondary conversation about healthy relationships.Braith stood silently, his arms folded over his chest as he watched Aria move about the room with subtle grace. what are we teaching them by presenting Aria and Braith as a good couple? Following up on there are several male characters who make all the decisions for Aria including her father, brothers, long time friend, Braith, and other male vampires. This book is meant for a teenage audience. Instead it's all justified because he loves her. Yet this is never addressed as being unhealthy. He tries to isolate her from her family (something narcissists do) and doesn't want anyone to come near her. Throughout the series he is continually possessive over her and gets angry whenever she does not consent to being controlled by him. He's over 100 years old while she is 17, yet somehow that doesn't matter because one he's a fatansy character and two it's 'true love'. My biggest problem with the story is the relationship between Braith and Aria. I've listened to the first three books and I still don't see it. I find no justification for why any vampire would want to treat humans as equals. A future world run by vampires at least heads in a slightly new direction. Let's teach kids that anger and possession = love However, the more immersed they become in a world that she doesn’t entirely understand, the more she realizes that it won’t be the war, or even the king that will eventually tear her and Braith apart. She is fascinated and amazed by the world they uncover within, one that is unlike anything she has ever seen before. Aria is fearful of entering into the land she’s heard nothing but cautionary tales about, but she’s determined to help Braith locate the vampires that may help them with their cause. He will do whatever is necessary though to ensure a future for himself and Aria. Though he once knew the powerful vampires that are rumored to reside within The Barrens, he is unsure what to expect if they succeed in finding them. Determined to find the remaining vampires that stood against his father in the war, Braith knows that it’s dangerous to enter the inhospitable land, but that they must if they are to have a chance at gaining allies to help overthrow the king.

Whispers, rumors, and horror stories abound about The Barrens and the strange creatures that lurk within them.

Refugee by Erica Stevens