This book was just okay. Three stars might be sort of generous, but because I love Diane Adams' "Making of a Man" series, I'm being lenient.
This book This book was just okay. Three stars might be sort of generous, but because I love Diane Adams' "Making of a Man" series, I'm being lenient.
This book is not bad. But it's not good, either. There's some insta-love happening, which I never like, and the end was pretty cheesy and predictable. I liked what we got to see of Grey and Drake, but overall they were pretty underdeveloped as characters. There was very little urgency to this story. It was good in the middle; the character of Drake goes through some interesting changes and trials, and I thought that was where the story was at its best, but overall... I was disappointed. I was excited for this book because I like Diane Adams but this is not her best work....more
This book is a bridge. While it didn't necessarily feel this way while reading it, when I finished I realized not much had actually happened. It's mosThis book is a bridge. While it didn't necessarily feel this way while reading it, when I finished I realized not much had actually happened. It's mostly just set up for the next book.
But in a really good way.
I found it difficult to get into at first, and for several chapters I rolled my eyes and thought to myself "I don't remember the writing in these books being so BAD!" It was really bad. Even Dante was getting on my nerves, and I LOVE me some Dante. But as the book continued, I got back into the swing of it and by the time I was 1/3 through I was hooked. I really enjoyed this one.
It was actually better than the previous book in that, while we still get glimpses of a lot of the tertiary characters (FBI agents and vampires and SB agents and what-not), it didn't overpower the story. We spent the majority of our time with Dante and Heather. The last book felt like Phoenix had broadened the scope too much but she's reigned it in with this installment. I'm excited to see where it's all leading. Maybe Heather will buy Dante a handkerchief for his incessant bloody nose?...more
I finally finished this one! It only took me four months.
Pros: *The premise behind this series is very original. It's a unique mix of mortals, angels, I finally finished this one! It only took me four months.
Pros: *The premise behind this series is very original. It's a unique mix of mortals, angels, vampires and zombies. Unpredictable.
Cons: *The best word I can come up with to describe the writing is "overwrought." It's too much, it really is. *It's dead serious. There's very little humor, dark or otherwise. *I really don't like Raphael, and I don't particularly care for Elena. Hard to stay interested in their story.
The cons outweigh the pros, and since it took me so long to get through it, I'm giving 2 stars. But I get the impression that the rest of the series is less Elena-centric - that maybe we get to spend more time with the seven? Maybe there will be a bit more fun in those books? I don't know. I'm willing to try one more before I give up on the series. ...more
This was a decent YA paranormal. Very quick, light read and enjoyable. There were a few parts that seemed like the author didn't know where she was goThis was a decent YA paranormal. Very quick, light read and enjoyable. There were a few parts that seemed like the author didn't know where she was going with it when she wrote it and had to come up with an explanation at the end that didn't quite work. I'd give examples but I don't want to include spoilers in the review. But overall I liked it and I'll be reading the sequel....more
This book had three primary themes. A strong political message, a strong religious message, and everything was tied together with music. All three theThis book had three primary themes. A strong political message, a strong religious message, and everything was tied together with music. All three themes, together with well-drawn characters, kept this book interesting and readable for 390 pages. The story itself seemed to be rather slow and meandering but when it all came together at the end, it did so with a bang. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to all fans of good fantasy.
My only problem with this book is that beyond the story that as told, there was a much bigger story that I found infinitely more intriguing that didn't ever get explained or explored. This bigger story was hinted at in what seemed to be a back-cover blurb that was on the first page of the book before the cover page and acknowledgements, and one scene in the book where Rachel is talking to the oracle Josiah and he tells her about an ancient oracle who actually saw the face of Jovah. That is the story I was especially anxious to read about but it never materialized. Perhaps this is explored in later books in the series? I'd really like to know for sure before I invest my time in reading them.
But I think anyone that's ever dealt with issues of faith in their life should read this book....more
I'm giving this 5 stars because it's Dante, and because it had me hooked on every page from beginning to end. That said, there were some flaws.
*WarningI'm giving this 5 stars because it's Dante, and because it had me hooked on every page from beginning to end. That said, there were some flaws.
*Warning: Contains mild spoilers for previous two books. No BtS spoilers.*
There were two things that, in my opinion, made In The Blood far better than A Rush of Wings. Those things were the broader scope (bringing in all the FBI government conspiracy stuff and especially the extra stuff concerning the Fallen), and the extraordinarily creepy twins Alex and Athena. In Beneath The Skin, Phoenix broadens the scope even further - too far, in my opinion. There were way too many characters in this book, way too much going on and at some point she just had to stop writing it and almost every thread became a loose end. I fully expect that she'll tie everything up in future books, but it was just too many loose ends for me. Some of the characters (particularly Annie) seemed pretty useless. And, of course, Alex and Athena are not in this book and they weren't suitably replaced so this book lacked the delicious creepy flavor of ItB.
Bottom line: Compulsively readable book and definitely super good, but could have done with fewer secondary characters and more focus on the central characters: Heather, Dante and especially Lucien. Hopefully she'll tighten things up a little in future books, this one was just too sprawling....more
I loved how fresh and original this book felt. The premise of the book/series is not something that has been hashed and rehashed a zillion times in PNI loved how fresh and original this book felt. The premise of the book/series is not something that has been hashed and rehashed a zillion times in PNR/UF fiction. Like a lot of Singh's books I felt that the character development was a little bit lacking. And while the plot of the book is about Elena hunting an archangel gone bad, the first half consisted primarily of Elena and Raphael's flirting. It was enjoyable flirting, for sure, but I was ready for the actual book to start. The second half was great. Epic and creepy and beautiful. And I can't help but get a shiver of delight from a book whose last words are "So it begins."...more
The sequel to A Rush of Wings is every bit as gripping and addictive as its predecessor. And Phoenix pushes everything just aHoly cliffhanger, Batman!
The sequel to A Rush of Wings is every bit as gripping and addictive as its predecessor. And Phoenix pushes everything just a little bit further. There's just a little bit more action, a little bit more urgency, a little bit more romance. And a whole lot more "holy crap!" The end of this book blew me away and left me wondering how I will ever survive an entire year waiting for the next one.
The most addictive series I've read in ages. I haven't been able to put these books down. I can't rave about them enough. Please read them. Now. Actually, maybe you should wait and read them next January so you won't have to wait for book three. ;)
**Jan 2010 re-read** Just as amazing the second time. These books are so addictive!...more
Holy crap, this book was fantastic! It was getting rave reviews from some trustworthy people on the different paranormal groups I belong to, so I knew Holy crap, this book was fantastic! It was getting rave reviews from some trustworthy people on the different paranormal groups I belong to, so I knew I'd like it, but I was prepared to be at least a little bit let down, because let's face it, nothing ever lives up to the hype, right? Well, this one did.
This is a very dark urban fantasy novel about an FBI agent, Heather, who has been following a serial killer for 3 years. The hunt leads her to New Orleans, where she becomes entangled with a vampire, Dante, who she believes the killer is trying to communicate with, and who may be the next target.
If you're turned off by "vampire" stories - please read this anyway! It's very different from all the other vampire books in the genre. It's a heartbreaking, hauntingly beautiful story about the ability to transcend the horrors of life, and the capacity for love and compassion. It's dark, violent and unflinching but it still maintains that underlying glimmer of hope that keeps it from being depressing and instead makes it beautiful. I absolutely could not put this book down and now I'm anxiously waiting to read the sequel.
Please read this book!!! I mean it!
**Dec 2009 re-read** This book didn't quite hold up but was still really good the second time. ...more
Nichole (DirrtyH)
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