Stryker (causes earthquakes) and Melanie/Phoebe (dual personality in one body, Phoebe the bad one who creates fire and Melanie the good one who createStryker (causes earthquakes) and Melanie/Phoebe (dual personality in one body, Phoebe the bad one who creates fire and Melanie the good one who creates ice) ...more
I honestly don't know how to rate this one. I loved the writing style. It was flawless and to the point. Each page, each sentence, each word mattered I honestly don't know how to rate this one. I loved the writing style. It was flawless and to the point. Each page, each sentence, each word mattered and had a purpose.
Still I hated the ending. I would have accepted almost everything from time travelling to two ghosts managing to find each other and loving each other eternally. Instead it felt like a case of objectophilia...more
Preppy tries to fix himself: "I’ll always be a bit broken"
Dre tries to have her closure: “Did you find it?” Preppy asked. “Your closure? I looked over Preppy tries to fix himself: "I’ll always be a bit broken"
Dre tries to have her closure: “Did you find it?” Preppy asked. “Your closure? I looked over to the dark corner and felt his eyes on me when I whispered, “Not even close.” I pressed my teeth against my lower lip. I sighed and let my head fall back against the water tower. “Why not?” Preppy asked. I looked up at the perfect cloudless night sky and the thousands of twinkling stars overhead. I closed my eyes tightly. “Because I found you instead.”
Obviously they haven't succeeded. There was no fixing. There was no closure.
Two unconventional people sharing an unorthodox life with their weird friends who are also their chosen family.
Preppy will learn to be alive again “ALIVE. I feel fucking ALIVE.” and Dre will forgive him and then she will leave him again.
Favourite scene: Samuel Clearwater sharing moonshine tequila with Diego Martinez over Grace's grave. Awesome....more
Αρχικά πρέπει να πω ή ότι έχω πάθει ανοσία με τόσα βιβλία τρόμου που έχω διαβάσει ή ότι η συγκεκριμένη συλλογή δεν ήταν ιδιαίτερα τρομακτική.
Ας πάρουμΑρχικά πρέπει να πω ή ότι έχω πάθει ανοσία με τόσα βιβλία τρόμου που έχω διαβάσει ή ότι η συγκεκριμένη συλλογή δεν ήταν ιδιαίτερα τρομακτική.
Ας πάρουμε τα πράγματα ένα ένα: Α) Δεν ήταν όλα τα διηγήματα καθαρού τρόμου. Κάποια ήταν πιο fantasy, κάποια έγερναν πιο προς τον ρεαλιστικό τρόμο που έχει να κάνει με διατεταγμένα μυαλά και συνειδήσεις, κάποια ήταν πιο προς τον λυρικό και ακατανόητο τρόμο που όπως θες τον ερμηνεύεις και κάποια είχαν να κάνουν με το φόβο που δημιουργεί το paranormal, δηλ. Φαντάσματα, δαίμονες και στοιχειωμένα μέρη και αντικείμενα. Β) Συνεπώς δεν ήταν μια ομοιογενής συλλογή με ένα κοινό θέμα, χαρακτηριστικό, τρόπο γραφής κ.λπ. ...Και εν τέλει δεν υπαρχει ενα ξεκάθαρο μήνυμα ή ένα ξεκαθαρο point to make. Γ) Ως προς την παρουσίαση νέων προς εμένα συγγραφέων έμεινα απόλυτα ικανοποιημένη. Θα έλεγα μαλιστα ότι το διήγημα κράκτης του πιο διάσημου εκ των συγγραφέων Masterton ήταν από τα πιο αδύναμα διηγήματα της συγκεκριμένης συλλογής.
Πιο αναλυτικά η βαθμολογία μου για καθε διήγημα:
1. "Στραγγαλιστικη λαβή" - 3 stars 2. "Κωδικός 5410" - 4 stars 3. "Στα τέλη του Νοέμβρη" - 4 stars 4. "Tenebrae" - 5 stars 5. "Ο δρόμος προς τα Κύθηρα" - 3 stars 6. "Το αχλάδι της οδύνης" - 5 stars 7. "Το τελευταίο συστατικο" - 4 stars
Τελειώνοντας, τα διηγήματα που μου έκαναν την μέγιστη εντύπωση ήταν: - "Το αχλάδι της οδύνης". Κ.Α.Τ.Α.Π.Λ.Η.Κ.Τ.Ι.Κ.Ό! Ηταν το μοναδικό που συνδύασε τον ψυχολογικό τρόμο με τον μεταφυσικό. Είχε αρκετές και ικανοποιητικές ανατροπές. Ήταν τόσο αρρωστημένο που με έκανε να χαμογελάσω ( σόρρυ αλλά ποτέ δεν ήμουν ιδιαίτερα νορμάλ). Και τέλος ήταν το πιο ολοκληρωμένο με αρχή, μέση και τέλος και μπορούσε να σταθεί ακόμα και τις λιγοστές του σελίδες χωρίς να του προσθέσεις τίποτα. Και -"Tenebrae". Ίσως επειδή πάσχω και από μία ελαφριά κλειστοφοβία, μπορώ να πω ότι είναι και το διήγημα που με τρόμαξε περισσότερο. Σίγουρα εξαιρετικά καλογραμμένο, μαύρο και ζοφερό, ικανό να ρουφήξει κάθε ελπίδα και ακτίνα φωτός. Με έκανε και να δακρύσω.
Σίγουρα θα αναζητήσω περισσότερες δουλειές από τούς συγγραφείς των συγκεκριμένων δύο διηγημάτων....more
Bear Scouts take a trip to the forest and for some stupid reason all the adults try to scare them. My children seem to like it, but I am not that sure.Bear Scouts take a trip to the forest and for some stupid reason all the adults try to scare them. My children seem to like it, but I am not that sure. Why would someone scare little children with imaginary ghosts?...more
So, this book is like a riddle and it is intriguingly complicated.
For me, it starts like the “Devil's Advocate” movie. Jonah has to make a decision anSo, this book is like a riddle and it is intriguingly complicated.
For me, it starts like the “Devil's Advocate” movie. Jonah has to make a decision and deep down he knows it will be the wrong decision, but he is too cocky to refuse it:
You’re choosing a path here, Jonah. But he’d already chosen it. There was nothing to be done now.
Then, there is a bit of New Orleans’s magic, mystery and legends:
“Do you know why it’s called the weeping wall?” “It’s said that the wall weeps tears for the heartbreak and tragedy that came to pass behind it, for the spirits still trapped within.”
Then , the story feels a bit like the “Phantom of the Opera". A man hiding his face in the shadows watches the young artist:
Movement in the back of the theatre caught her eye and she stumbled slightly, catching herself and glancing at Madame Fournier who, thank the heavens, was looking in a different direction. A man—she could only make out his tall outline—stepped around the corner.
Then, there is a bit of the legends of Zorro and Batman. The rich masked hero who saves the weak women, punishes the evil men, offers money here and there when someone needs it. And he always keeps his identity a secret:
Jonah stepped closer, into a patch of low light given off by the glow of the street at the end of the alley and the man’s eyes widened. The woman’s mouth parted in surprise, the fear still present in her eyes. Jonah, in his skeletal mask, obviously looked even more frightening than the filthy meathead attempting to assault her. “What the fuck are you?”
Then, there is a “Beauty and the Beast" feeling with the garden and the roses and the curse:
“You’re in my lair now, you do realize that, right?” “Y-yes,” she said as the direction of his voice changed and she turned blindly toward it, unable to see anything, not even his movement. He chuckled then and it drifted to her, falling over her like magic, causing goosebumps to erupt on her skin. “You’re playing with me.” It was a statement, but also a question. She should be annoyed, perhaps, but she couldn’t help her excitement.
Then, there is a huge dramatic twist where everything transforms into a conspiracy corrupted game with dark undertones:
He’d been used. Lied to. He’d been a pawn and he’d played straight into their hands. God, he’d thought he was so smart, when all he’d been was an idiotic patsy. Blinded by self-importance and ego.
And the final twist is a paranormal one:
A drop of her blood being brought to the light.
Two love stories: One love story with a tragic ending from the past , about Angelina Loreaux and John Whitfield One love story with a tragic start which struggles to have a future, about Clara Campbell and Johan Chamberlain.
Well, it is one of the best books that I have read this year, thus it is highly recommended.
A beautiful melancholic book with the right amount of Angst, Romance, Stalking, Mystery, Daydreaming, Redemption, True love that can not be seized by lies, time or death....more
Leila: I love you, I thought again, trying to force the words into his mind. From the fresh wave of emotions that rolled over mine, he’d heard me. Leila: I love you, I thought again, trying to force the words into his mind. From the fresh wave of emotions that rolled over mine, he’d heard me. I love you, I repeated as my vision went black and everything else slipped away. Forever . . .
Vlad: “Anything for you.”
First of all I have to say that Vlad and Leila is one of my favourite paranormal romance couples. Vlad is one of my favourite antiheroes in general. Leila is one of the strongest, most talented, bravest and smartest heroines I have read about.
If this was another book about them and the epilogue of their love story, I would have given 5 stars. But somehow most of the time in the book...:
1. ...Vlad and Leila are not on the spotlight. a) I don't care what happens to Leila's sister. This is not her story. And anyway I am not a fan of what happens to her. And I did not like Maximus interaction and interest. I like Maximus, but I have negative feelings for Gretchen. b) I don't like that Ian steals the show one more time. Now that all the focus should be on Vlad and Leila, Ian and his stupid decision with the demon feels like a filler. I can understand that this will be the beginning of his own books with Veritas, but it shouldn't be introduced in this book.
2. ...Vlad does things alone. Leila does things alone. a) What is the point of Leila's discovery of her Cherokee heritage? And how this is tied to Vlad? Who cares? b) Why Vlad keeps hiding things from Leila? They have be through so many dangerous things together. Why Vlad is still a jerk and makes her suffer with his secrets and lies? I could not understand his reasoning.
If we add to the following comments the death of one of my favourite characters in the previous books, it will be obvious that I had a hard time finishing this book.
And honestly this should not be the end. Vlad and Leila could have had so many more great adventures together with their special abilities and their unique love. The Epilogue was short and not that satisfying.
Good bye Vlad and Leila! I will possibly see you again in Ian's books....more
After renouncing his oaths, Rook ages really fast. He only has a few weeks to live. He hoped that S“What do you mean ‘Stephanie left the island’?”
After renouncing his oaths, Rook ages really fast. He only has a few weeks to live. He hoped that Stephanie would spend his final days with him. Stephanie is gone. She has finally found her answers about her sister Cici’s death thanks to Rook's aunt. She feels betrayed and sad and she does not want see Rook again. When she arrives home, she will be captured by Warner Price who wants what he was promised. Price will blackmail Rook with his only weakness, i.e. Stephanie.
This is the point that we have two major sacrifices: one from Rook and one from Stephanie's father.
Rook will be back and he is out for blood. So many secrets! Old doomed enemies, a psycho aunt, Father Rook, hidden places inside the island.
Stephanie will have to make the ultimate sacrifice.
“And if I get in?” His hazel eyes speared me. “It’s suicide. You know that.” “But I could save him, right?”
The story heads to an unhappy ending until the final awesome twist. What has had really happened to all these dead people?
This is book 3 of the trilogy and it is not a standalone. The story of Rook and Stephanie was a combination of passionate love, mystery, sacrifices and fantasies that come true.
During the first half of the book, I truly believed that this was the best book of the series. There was a mystery about the disa"I love you, Kitten."
During the first half of the book, I truly believed that this was the best book of the series. There was a mystery about the disappearance of Tate, Juan, Dave, and Cooper, while ghostly Don do not want to help and talk about the past. Madigan on the other hand is arrogant, hostile and generally unbearable and he insists that Cat's friends are dead. The mystery gets more complicated when Don actually wishes that they are truly dead instead of being alive in Madigan's clutches.
Secret lab, many horrific experiments, secrets since Dan had discovered Cat is half vampire so many years ago, deaths and torturing of vampires and ghouls.
And Bones once more hides things from Cat in order to protect her...aargh
When the monstrous lab was blown up and the vampires were eating the humans, I was actually clapping with joy. And I was wishing that Madigan would get the most horrible death.
Unfortunately after the climax in the middle of the book, the action started to slow down. Madigan's punishment did not satisfy me, while Don was not punished at all. The little girl was an interesting twist, but the explanation was rushed and the character was not developed. I don't know if the author wants to have a book about her later.
The greatest villain was too ridiculous for someone who supposedly was acting behind the scenes and was pulling the strings for 15 years and was fooling everybody.
The solution at the end was too simple. I wanted something more than sailing into the sunset forgetting all the problems.
So, the second half of the book was disappointing. And definitely the series should not end like that.
I still will give 4 stars for the first half, for the uniqueness of the characters and for the over the top love of Bones for Cat and Cat for Bones.
Years ago, Bones had made me promise to go on if he were killed. I’d done so, yet now, I was going back on that promise. Death was my only chance to be reunited with him. I wasn’t missing that for anything. “Wait for me,” I whispered, my voice breaking on another sob. “I’ll be there soon.” ...more
So...what I really loved in the first two books (especially the first book) were: 1. The smut 2. ThShe truly has no idea the power she holds over us
So...what I really loved in the first two books (especially the first book) were: 1. The smut 2. The humour 3. The anticipation of finding out who these four guys are and who the ghost girl is
I think these three things that I loved were somehow lost in this third book: 1. The smut had been almost not existent. 2. The humour was forced and 3. I have already found out who these 5 people are more or less
I wanted a new direction, maybe a few more secrets, a twist – definitely a good twist was needed. Something to keep me invested in their story. Instead I got: 1. A large number of devil's games that were not that interesting. 2. An evil devil's family that was barely described. 3. Lots of hell's politics who felt like fillers. 4. A new enemy. What is a point of having a new enemy in the end of book 3, when there is only one book left? 5. A few dirty angels. Not beautiful. Not funny. Not scary. Not important.
So, yes I was a bit disappointed. I love these four boys. I wanted more things about them :( Anyway, I will still read the next book...more
Let's see... Cat and Bones are in love Cat and Bones have earth shattering sex (chapter 21 everybody!) Cat and Bones f"Be still my non-beating heart"
Let's see... Cat and Bones are in love Cat and Bones have earth shattering sex (chapter 21 everybody!) Cat and Bones fight against a deadly enemy (Bad bad ghouls!)
So, not many things happen in this book that move forward the main story. Just Cat feels more comfortable being a full vampire (flying is really awesome). Mencheres and Kira (Eternal Kiss of Darkness) as well as Denise and Spade (First Drop of Crimson) make an appearance. And Timmie, Cat's neighbour seven years ago from her first book (Halfway to the Grave) is apparently still alive! And he is a troublesome reporter.
But I feel that Vlad steals the show once more and my favourite quote is by him: Much slower, I turned around to see Vlad examining his fingernails, as if his hands weren't still ablaze in the flames that had blasted ghoul's head off moments before. "What the hell was that?" I gasped. "Premature inflamulation," he replied. "Happens sometimes. Very embarrassing, I don't like to talk about it." ...more
Such a beautiful love story between two people that were not very lucky with their lives and they don't trust easily!
"Is the
Varian and Merewyn
Such a beautiful love story between two people that were not very lucky with their lives and they don't trust easily!
"Is there not something you would bleed for?" "No," she said fervently. "Nothing. Why should I? No one would ever bleed for me." One corner of his mouth turned up in a smoking smile. "Then we're the same, you and I." "How, so?" "No one would ever bleed for me either."
Varian is the son of Narishka (an evil Adoni who will not hesitate to torture her son in order to make him betray Avalon and become part of Camelot) and Lancelot who was tricked and betrayed by Narishka so he never cared for his son. Varian is partly good and partly evil. Thus noone ever trusted him, although he has chosen the good guys.
Merewyn made a deal with Narishka to avoid an unwanted marriage many centuries ago. As a result shd became unbearably ugly and Narishka's slave without hope. Narishka will make her beautiful again and she will ask her to seduce her son ....who will not be seduced that easily:
When that moment comes, I won't save you.
And Merewyn will discover a different side of herself and she will become her saviour:
I won't ever be a fool again
The book is full of magic, awesome otherworldly fights, strange creatures and legends, true love and acceptance of each person's individuality and value.
Blaise, the dragon, is a very interesting character and I would love a book about him....more
Cat and Bones look after and protect a spoiled heiress that her cousin wants her dead. Their holidays are ruined and they all end up at Cat' childhood Cat and Bones look after and protect a spoiled heiress that her cousin wants her dead. Their holidays are ruined and they all end up at Cat' childhood home where Justina is already there. Justina tries to cope with the fact that she is a vampire and Bones really helps her.
I just love Bones and his mother in law together.
Cat falls in love with him one more time and I could not stop smiling:
By the time Bones announced it was Tammy's turn, I'd fallen in love with him all over again. Flowers and jewellery worked for most girls as a romantic gesture, but here I was, misty-eyed at watching him show my mother how to stab the shit out of him.
Nice short story. It's worth reading it (although Tammy is very annoying) as -it shows the improvement in the relationship of Bones and Justina -it shows the Justina' acceptance for her new situation -it shows the length of Cat's new powers...more
This is the book where Cat and Bones are crazily in love and married and spend a few lazy days in Paris.
And suddeCat, Bones and ... Gregor (aargh!!!)
This is the book where Cat and Bones are crazily in love and married and spend a few lazy days in Paris.
And suddenly hell breaks loose.
Cat starts having dreams that are nightmares or memories. Someone or something tries to snatch her away while she dreams. And Mencheres will have a confession to make about Cat's teenagehood, when she was young and clueless and she followed a certain someone to Paris. And how him, the powerful Mencheres made Cat forgot and Gregor dissapear.
Cat and Bones' marriage is not as well founded as they thought. Fights between them will start, while they distrust each other.
Cat does not trust Bones' abilities and cunning mind.
Bones does not trust Cat FULL STOP. Gregor, Vlad, Tate can make even the most sensible vampire crazy with jealousy.
And all these happen will Gregor, the dreamsnatcher, waits for his apportunity to snatch Cat because obviously he wants his wife back.
People will change. Some will become vampires. Some will become dead. And some will be even more deader than the used to be, i.e. completely dead.
This book is a full on adventure, but with so much family drama included.
You're leaving me?
And yes, it is full of funny moments because Cat and Bones even when they are angry and vicious, are so cute together.
Just a suggestion: When the Devil says, “Lets the games begin,” see if you can run in the opposite direction.
If book 1 (Four Psychos) was the bookJust a suggestion: When the Devil says, “Lets the games begin,” see if you can run in the opposite direction.
If book 1 (Four Psychos) was the book of questions, book 2 (Three Trials) is the book of answers. And (Shh! Don’t tell that I told you!) it is the book that the guys will finally grab the ghost girl.
With an even more intriguing book cover and a title that includes the word “trials”; it is obvious that games will be integrated in the main characters’ attempts to learn who they really are.
A fast paced story which happens mostly in the interesting, vast, unpredictable and dark area of HELL!
The four guys will discover new allies. The girl will discover her real family, her preferable family, her nickname and her true name (which name will make sense somehow…)
Hopefully we will have book 3 soon. Please. ...more
This is one of those books that I started completely blind about their story. I didn’t know this writer. I didn’t know if the book wa“Oh! Oh yes.”
This is one of those books that I started completely blind about their story. I didn’t know this writer. I didn’t know if the book was paranormal or historical or whatever. I just liked the title (some of my favorite book boyfriends are psychos), the book cover (hmm hoods and hidden faces… intriguing) and I have heard that the book has the “reverse harem” trope (I quite enjoy it when the girl is the dominant part in this kind of relationship).
Anyway, I started the book and there are these four guys having sex with one girl and there is another girl who is watching (so far it is kind of okay). And then I realized that the girl is some kind of a ghost who is not allowed to have fun or to eat pop corn while watching (she in fact craves eating pop corn more than having sex). And these guys are something like her pets, her enjoyment, her point of existence. And they don’t even know it. Nobody knows that she exists.
So the thing has started becoming interesting.
And then I realized that these guys are not exactly humans. Are they demons? Are they fallen angels? Because definitely they are not nice guys!
And then weird trials, assassins and Hell and the devil himself are thrown in the mix; while the four guys discover that there is a naughty ghost that has been watching them for years and they are the only ones who can see her. Apparently they would like to grab her and show her a few tricks, but she is not exactly real.
Yes, I believe after that it is obvious that the book is paranormal.
So this first book is like a game. It is the book in the series that throws the questions: Who is the nameless ghost? Or Keyla as she was named by Ezekiel. Who are One, Two, Three and Four? Or Gage, Ezekiel, Kai and Jude. Why these five creatures are connected? When will the four guys grab the girl?
The book is pure fun. Keyla is one funny girl who drives the four guys mad and she talks without thinking. It is pure joy to read about her and try to understand what is going on through her eyes.
The four guys are typical male bastards who never say thank you – no matter how many times Keyla saves them. But you can definitely see the sparks and the chemistry there.
Let me think… what else? Oh, yes I have also read that the author is in fact C.M. Owens who mostly writes books about bikers and motorcycle clubs. I haven’t read anything yet from her “normal” stuff, but I promise that I will try to change that :) ...more
A very short story about Bones before he meets Cat. It takes place during Mardi Gras in New Orleans. It is a quite sad story as well as a scary story.A very short story about Bones before he meets Cat. It takes place during Mardi Gras in New Orleans. It is a quite sad story as well as a scary story. Bones is paid to hunt two immortal serial killers, a ghoul couple that like to play with their food before they kill it. They are extremely, disgustingly, horrible sadists. Pretty soon Bones will not care for the payment, but only for the vengeance. You will definitely love Bones more in this short story and if you a fan of the series, it is a must-read. I would recommend reading it after you finish a couple of full novels in order to understand Bone’s behavior more. ...more