Review: Inspire by Cora Carmack

Received from InkSlingerPR

Title: Inspire
Series: Inspire #1
Author: Cora Carmack
Publisher: Self Published
Publication Date: 15 Dec 2014
Source: Review Copy
Rating: 4/5

Synopsis from Goodreads

Kalliope lives with one purpose.

To inspire.

As an immortal muse, she doesn’t have any other choice. It’s part of how she was made. Musicians, artists, actors—they use her to advance their art, and she uses them to survive. She moves from one artist to the next, never staying long enough to get attached. But all she wants is a different life— a normal one. She’s spent thousands of years living lie after lie, and now she’s ready for something real.

Sweet, sexy, and steady, Wilder Bell feels more real than anything else in her long existence. And most importantly… he’s not an artist. He doesn’t want her for her ability. But she can’t turn off the way she influences people, not even to save a man she might love. Because in small doses, she can help make something beautiful, but her ability has just as much capacity to destroy as it does to create. The longer she stays, the more obsessed Wilder will become. It’s happened before, and it never turns out well for the mortal.

Her presence may inspire genius.

But it breeds madness, too.

REVIEW

Inspire literally sweeps you off your feet. I have to be honest I’m hoping for inspiration to hit this review Cora Carmack weaves mythology seamlessly into a contemporary setting, laying the groundwork for the plot in a uniquely realistic manner.

It is easy to identify with Kalli; her immortal existence is weighing heavily on her. While it would be nice to regenerate at the stroke of midnight every day it does limit the amount of personal expression a person can have; just think tattoo’s and piercing would heal immediately Plus the deeper connection each person craves, family, children and unconditional love. The only relationships Kalli has experienced have been based on her ability.

The fine line between genius and madness is examined closely within the narrative. Especially when connection turns to obsession due to Kalli’s abilities, sending a person over an edge they can never get back from. Plus causing immeasurable guilt to Kalli. However, Kalli has no choice but to share her gift otherwise it can cause her own madness and infect those not destined to experience such things. Leading to undesirable after-effects for everyone concerned. I have to be honest and say the experiment Kalli undertakes is one I personally would have considered a long time ago.

I absolutely loved the use of the threads of fate within the plot. Adding depth to the romantic aspects within the narrative. The dual narrative between Kalli and Wilder balanced the story-line beautifully aiding a deeper understanding of both characters and their reactions to certain revelations

The detail to the mythological aspects of the plot created a stunning backdrop to the story as a whole. Enriching the story-line while simultaneously creating an alternate reality based within contemporary society, which was surprisingly very easy to picture Prophecies and repercussions lead to a tension fueled cliffhanger.

Inspire combines romance, mythology and creativity in a completely addictive fashion. I can’t help but say it, Cora will Inspire obsession in you