This is book 1 in the Dark Gifts series and it has exceeded my expectations. I love vampires and witches, paranormal, action and romance so this book suited me perfectly. There were a lot of twists in the book that kept me captivated throughout.

Liz was bitten by vampire Michael and she turned, and no one could believe she would turn after just one bite. I don’t really want to say another else because it really is a must read book and I don’t want to spoil it for anyone else that buys the book so I will just say that I really loved both Liz and Michael’s characters.

The book was very well written and the author Willow Cross is a fantastic author the story was well thought out and flowed really well. I have read other books she has written and I can’t wait to read more from her. ( )

Willow Cross brings excitement, suspense and a whole underground mystical world to life with her first installment in The Dark Gifts series. Introduced to Liz and Michael we quickly learn of the vampire world when she is bitten. Her life turned upside down, and the looming threat of the cataclysmic undoing of the vampire world. She must quickly learn how to become not only a vampire, but a vampire killer in order to survive and protect her new family.


With the vampire war beginning, a battle ensues for not only power but restoration of the old ways that have allowed the vampires to live in secrecy. With the council in question, and time running short, will Liz and Michael be able to pull off the impossible?



My opinion of "The Dark Gifts Birthright" by Willow Cross:


I could not put this book down, and this says a lot. Filled with page turning suspense, a bit of romance, and the fantasy world of vampires; I was easily sucked into her world. Birthright will easily entertain young adults (and older ones too!) as well as those who love vampire stories. Willow Cross intertwines her characters into the scenery that you'll feel as if you're right there fighting with Liz and Michael. You feel like you're as much apart of the story as any other character in the book.


If you love vampires, ghosts, witches and even druids than you will absolutely fall in love with "The Dark Gifts Birthright." Even more, you will fall in love with the exceptional writing style that encompasses Willow Cross. This alone will leave you begging, for more! ( )

5.0 out of 5 stars A great start to the Dark Gifts Series, May 4, 2013

This review is from: Birthright (The Dark Gifts) (Kindle Edition)
Birthright~ The Dark Gifts Series by Willow Cross
This is a vampire series full of action and adventure. Liz is turned by Michael by accident which plunges them into a chain of events that causes them to be on the run. The chemistry between the two keeps the pages turning and new characters coming. It is an in your face ride from the beginning to the end, and an enjoyable one at that.
This is not your average vamp romance. It is full of aggression, blood and conflict. With a spot of romance for balance. If you are into vampires (and who isn't), you will love this first in the Dark Gifts Series. I give it 5 stars. ( )

Can't beleive it has taken me so long to find this great author and her brilliant books!
I do like the cover even though I am a little unsure whether the female on the front is Angie or Liz, either of them would fit the image for me. Would the cover draw me to the book? I think it would yes, I like the colour's on the cover. They entice you to pick up the book.
I became truly hooked into this book and it's plot and sub plots almost straight away. I could hardly wait to read more of it and hated having to put it down to do the household chores. I do enjoy how Willow Cross writes in an easy flowing way, as you are asking the questions in your head, she is answering them within the book. I also love her characters, they are well described, and not always "perfect" in that they all have their own little quirks, and mannerisms and traits. I also enjoyed the aspect where vampires can be "good" "kind" and experience a "type of love" Of course as their are evil humans there are also evil vampires too. Monroe is a big bad shifty, untrustworthy vampire, who thinks himself above rules.
There is a break in the council, the two factions are to go to war. Both sides have to regroup and train their armies
This book has it all! vampires, witches, druids, telepathic humans, prophetic dreams, and demons and they all have their place within this book and their own parts to play in the whole scheme of what is to happen. If you love paranormal/fantasy then you should really enjoy this book.
I really do not want to give away any type of spoiler so am reluctant to go into more detail. I just really really want people to read this book and enjoy it as much as I have. I mean yes I read a lot and yes I blog about it and I have read lots of books, but some you feel you want to really rave about and this is one of those!
So did I enjoy the book? Loved it! Would I recommend it? Yes to a wide range of readers. I would compare it to Vaempires by Thomas Winship which I also loved and wait (im) patiently for the next installment of, as I will be waiting for the next installement in The Dark Gifts series by Willow Cross.
Would I read more in this series? I plan to! Would I read more by Willow Cross? Yes please! ( )

Birthright begins with newly turned vampire, Liz, on her way to face the vampire counsel with her accidental maker, and the counsel's number one assassin, Michael. The reader learns of Liz's unfortunate death through the counsel's eyes as they sort through her memories, forcing her to live through her most painful experience again, and only leading to what she thinks is her imminent death.

Once the counsel is confident that Liz and her maker didn't intentionally break vampire law, she is able to leave her "cell" and experience a world she had no idea even existed.

Whispers follow Liz through the hallways of the counsel's compound, and quickly she learns that the vampire community is on the verge of war. What she doesn't know, is that she is the catalyst for the salvation of her people, and without her, humanity will be lost.
Birthright was an entertaining, face-paced, and uniquely written paranormal adventure. Willow Cross easily builds a world filled with vampires, druids, witches, and more while developing characterization thoughtfully.

Liz and Michael are the "main" characters in Birthright, however I became very attached to multiple secondary characters. I adored little Jenna, Cass, Gregorio, Athena, and Angie. All of them played an essential role in the story and made it that much more complete.

Ms. Cross has a flow to her writing style that I also particularly enjoyed. Her phrasing was unique and almost lyrical at times. However, I was occasionally confused by the random changes in POV. I felt like there wasn't much consistency. That being said, I enjoyed hearing from multiple characters in the story, I just wish that I was able to connect more with Liz and Michael and be a part of their budding relationship.

I felt that with the switching POV, I occasionally had to remind myself that Liz and Michael are at said point in their relationship because I've been reading from so-and-so's POV and so much time has passed. Having insight and knowing what was going on in the minds of some of the supporting cast was enjoyable, I just wish that their voices were the more dominant throughout.

I am really looking forward to the next installment in this series, Inheritance (Amazon), and see Willow's story progress. Birthright is a well-written, entertaining, and humorous novel, that keeps you guessing until the end. ( )