My TBR pile hates me right now. This book popped up on my IG feed on the day of its release, and after seeing the gorgeous artwork and reading the preMy TBR pile hates me right now. This book popped up on my IG feed on the day of its release, and after seeing the gorgeous artwork and reading the premise I just had to give it a try! And I think it's safe to say I'm now certain of my preferred type of vampire - sparkles are definitely a no-no, the morose and brooding is OK I guess, but what really works for me is the sunshine-y sweet yet sexy vamp with a lust for (after)life and a dark side that he only uses for good.
On that note, Zavier is definitely a vampire I need more of in my life! His boyish enthusiasm is impressive for a 300 year old, and despite the fact that his motto is literally 'touch her and d!e', you cannot help but kick your feet at his devotion to Celine and his almost ridiculously upbeat attitude! Even when he's off committing unspeakable acts, his quips and snark make his entirely loveable! There's a little bit of Josh from 'Lights Out', a little bit of Jenna Levine's 'My Roommate is a Vampire' and a little bit of Mick St John from the TV series 'Moonlight' all calling out to me in Zavier's character, and I am totally here for every facet of him!
For a newly minted detective, our FMC Celine doesn't necessarily do all that much detecting. Her job does give the story a nice underlying subplot which weaves together well, but ultimately the focus of the book is more on the development of her and Zav's relationship. There are a lot of threads of her personality and background which have been left loose, and I am hopeful these will be explored further in future books in the series, so I'm reserving judgement on this for now. The authors have done a great job at laying the foundations of her personality and giving us the FMC Zavier is head over heels for, but I just want to see more character development as I think she could very easily become a proper badass and an even more perfect match for Zavier.
I was thoroughly entertained by this book from page one. With a little bit of thriller, crime fiction, various shades of romance and comedy, this should feel like a mish-mash of genres but somehow it's perfectly balanced, even as you find yourself experiencing a different angle to the narrative with every turn of the page. The story flows brilliantly and is so easy to read, and pretty much never fails to make you smile. I would have liked more time for the tension to build a little more before the denouement as I think it would have helped with the tonal shift in the story, added an extra layer of heart-fluttering for the reader and given character relationships a little more time to develop, but overall it still works really well and gives you exactly what you crave.
Having said that, there are moments of quiet reflection that are heart-warmingly beautiful. In particular, I'm thinking of Zavier's relationship with his best friend, Tom, and just how different he feels as a character when they're together. There's still the cheeky banter, but there's a softer, more genuine side to Zav which comes out in these interations, which just adds even more to his character for you to love. Likewise, there are more emotional moments that are so well written too; they're harder to read and hit you right in the feels, but somehow still allow the story to remain lighthearted. The balance is really well struck and I commend the authors for their skill!
Ultimately, the only reason this doesn't get a five star rating is that I just want MORE of everything! More random odd jobs, more bloody murders, more grumpy/sunshine dynamics... Just everything. It's a fantastic read and I would have been happy to read it even if the page count had been twice as long! I'm already adding book two to my WTR list, so next time the other books awaiting my attention can't threaten to crush me under their weight......more
Before you ask, yes, I am aware it's currently May Day bank holiday in the UK and gloriously sunny outside... I FINALLY picked up this holiday novellaBefore you ask, yes, I am aware it's currently May Day bank holiday in the UK and gloriously sunny outside... I FINALLY picked up this holiday novella by one of my favourite authors in the hopes it might cool me down a little but, well, this is a book that will definitely get you hot under the collar!
'Sweet Silver Belle' is a little nugget of dark romance perfection. Within moments of meeting our main characters, Belle and Dmitri, you are invested in their relationship and their personalities, and your heart immediately knows what it wants. Even within the confines of a book that comes in at less than 200 pages, they are both brought to life with ease and so well fleshed out (literally and figuratively), it really feels like you must have read about them before. Belle's traits are completely relatable whether or not you have been in her situation, and while normally I'd be screaming at an otherwise strong female character to stand up for herself more, in this case I instinctively understood why that wasn't an option. I've never read a book that illustrates not just the character's reaction to domestic abuse, but the rationale behind their reactions (or lack thereof) so well.
As for Dmitri, well hello Sir! He starts out as quite the cinnamon roll, but damn if he doesn't morph into something just a little bit terrifying and absolutely delicious to read about! I've not really explored mafia romance books too much to date, but I love that Dmitri's background is used to give depth to the story and his character without it being overly central to the story. It was a great way to dip my toe into these waters. He basically has everything a girl (this girl) looks for in her MMCs - sweet yet brooding, dark, protective, tattooed and very much a bad boy to the world, but putty in her hands. This right here is a perfect illustration why readers prefer fictional men.
The pace is absolutely spot on. Again, for a novella it's an absolutely complete story, with enough worldbuilding to settle you completely into the premise and energy to keep the tension at full tilt throughout without feeling like things are being skimmed over. There are some beautiful little twists and turns to keep you engaged, and the build to the climax is incredibly done. As for the relationship development, damn this is a hot one! The spice is just... *melts*. But it's spice with feeling; maybe a tiny bit gratuitous, but every moment fits within and drives the story forward. All I will say is I am not developing a mask kink. I am not developing a mask kink. I am NOT developing a mask kink. ...more
We return to 'Villain Academy' two years after the events of the previous books, this time following Cressida Warbury, the one-time tormentor turned aWe return to 'Villain Academy' two years after the events of the previous books, this time following Cressida Warbury, the one-time tormentor turned ally of Rory Bloodstone. The story essentially starts with a 'bang' ...more
A sweet little holiday novella to round out the series, this effectively casts Atlas as Ebenezer Scrooge in the witchy version of 'A Christmas Carol'.A sweet little holiday novella to round out the series, this effectively casts Atlas as Ebenezer Scrooge in the witchy version of 'A Christmas Carol'. But instead of persuading him to change his miserly ways, the three Spirits of Solstice will curse him to a life of solitude if he fails to let go of the darkness inside his heart...
In some respects this retelling is a little 'on the nose'; with the world she's built, the author could have given it more of her own twist while keeping things reminiscent of the Dickens classic. However, what we have does work well, and it's a nice little twist to have the happy-go-lucky character be the target of the ghosties' ire. Likewise, the introduction of Marley as the 'spirit wrangler' was a cute idea.
Once you get into the story, it's exactly what you'd expect and so that element does make it an easy read. But, like the second book, there are moments where I questioned whether I'd skipped something, which dulled the flow. It's like I can see the author has this fully built world inside her mind and a great story to tell, but the tiny little details get lost in translation. As before though, if you can let your imagination fill in the gaps, it works really well.
Just like A Christmas Carol, the visions proffered by the ghosts are not all light and fluffy. But, they give you a wonderful insight into Atlas' character, which is exactly what I was after. He now means so much more as person to me because I understand his backstory better, as well as what he's feeling and perceiving about himself. Yes, I would have liked a similar deep dive with Bash, but actually Atlas's character arc really needed this to bring him up to a top tier MMC.
I'd call this one fluff with substance. And the little glimpses of the future make for great fanfic fodder! Even if it does just stay in my head....more
The story of Rory Bloodstone continues in this second omnibus edition of the Royals of Villain Academy series, with even more secrets, surprises sexytThe story of Rory Bloodstone continues in this second omnibus edition of the Royals of Villain Academy series, with even more secrets, surprises sexytimes in store. The main focus remains on the pentacle of scions, but expands beyond Blood U to take in the wider world, both mage and nary, to take you on a ride where the outcome isn't certain for any of them. This is more emotionally charged than the first half, both in terms of your investment in the characters and the overarching narrative, there are moments that really draw you in to examining your own stance on various happenings in the real world, and moments that make you wish you lived in fiction!
As before, the pace is very quick, with the whole story really being more than the sum of its parts. But what I liked about this was the various elements of uncertainty throughout. The author has done a fantastic job at keeping the options open every step of the way, so that it's completely possible for the various scenarios to have multiple outcomes. I found myself wanting to keep reading so I could get all the answers, from whether all of the pentacle would make it to the end and would there be a HEA, to whether certain characters would turn out to be heros or villains. Again, the omnibus is over 1,000 pages but it is definitely not a hard read and it really does fly by!
This book also has the advantage that, even though it essentially follows straight on, the characters all seem to come into their own a little more, presenting much more maturely and facing the problems of the outside world as adults rather than the petty middle school childishness that went on in books 1-4. I found this made all of the main characters far more likeable, and when coupled with their individual moments in the spotlight, made them all more well rounded too. They probably could have done with a little bit more development to really flesh them out as they don't come across in my head as vividly as others, but they're engaging enough for you to envy Rory her position, and to recoil from the barons.
The chemistry between Rory and the boys cranks up a notch here, with the appeal of each only improving as the story progresses. This book has helped me understand the appeal of the reverse harem, although I'm still trying to get my head around the logistics of four guys at the same time, especially with no crossing swords... may need to go back and read those bits again... ...more
Second reading: finished 13 June 2025. Rating: 5 stars
How is it that this book has only been out in the world for six months?! I feel like Cole and EvSecond reading: finished 13 June 2025. Rating: 5 stars
How is it that this book has only been out in the world for six months?! I feel like Cole and Evie, and the wonderful Billie Nicks, have been part of my life for far, far longer than that! Rereading the book with annotation in mind (which I am pretty bad at), I'm just reminded of how much this story makes me FEEL.
My rating has increased to the full five stars this time around, because having the knowledge of the story going in meant I could sit back and enjoy the ride in a different way, and pick up on bits and pieces I may have missed in my initial read through. In particular, I found myself really drawn into the moments where Cole is describing his dreams and visions of Evie as a young child. While I was aware of this first time round, they really jumped to the forefront of my attention this time. I was one of those kids who had invisible friends and "guardian angels", so these moments really resonated with me. Plus, it gives me perspective to the faster burn that I was a little reticent about previously. Needless to say, I get it now!
The terrifying thing is that certain elements of this book have only become more relevant since the book was released... how quickly the world changes while staying the same.
I stand by my comments in the previous review so won't go on, save to say that this has become one of my favourite books of all time, by one of my favourite authors of all time. So please read it! It's honestly so, so worth it!
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
First read: Finished 28 December 2024. Rating: 4.5 stars
If something is marketed as a Hades and Persephone retelling, I'm going to read it! So when I saw this pop up on my Instagram feed when it was released on 21 December, it jumped straight to the top of my TBR pile. And it was absolutely worth it!
It just feels like a joyous romp (sometimes literally ...more
The climax of the 'War of Lost Hearts' series, we pick up about six months after the end of the last book. Tisaanah and Max find themselves separated,The climax of the 'War of Lost Hearts' series, we pick up about six months after the end of the last book. Tisaanah and Max find themselves separated, both facing their own demons, and war is no longer a threat, but an inevitability. But in this conflict, there are more than two sides to the story...
I'll admit to struggling to get into this one, mainly because I didn't really absorb enough of the previous book to stick in my memory. So there was the immediate issue of trying to remember who some of the secondary characters were and what role they played, and where everyone was and why. It wasn't hard to pick up, but that initial awkwardness did have some affect on my overall enjoyment. And once you have got there, to some extent I felt this book had the same issue as book two, in that I just couldn't quite keep my finger on the pulse of the story. It skips along quite happily, and the narrative is there to enjoy, but it feels like it's missing some depth, or that baited hook that drags you heart and soul into the tale.
There are certainly moments of great beauty and feeling, mostly those quieter scenes between Max and Tisaanah or other characters, where it's not about the action, war and death. These pauses do so much more for me as a reader, as these are the moments that make me invested in the characters. Conversely, the villains of the piece never really got the time to develop their megalomania and so I didn't quite get the desired satisfaction levels when people receive their comeuppance. Likewise, as much as I like the idea of Aefe as a character, I feel she was woefully underdeveloped and the climax of her story left a lot to be desired.
The overall storyline of this one was also fairly predictable. There are some nice twists and turns along the way, but ultimately it's not hard to figure out the majority of the endgame as you go. It's good because you can see 'the light stop the end of the tunnel' as you read, but equally the scope of this story is one that would have suited a big old plot twist at some stage. I'd say the writing feels like the author had a whole bunch of amazing images and ideas to set down on paper and, while she has managed to paint a good picture and the tale is engaging and enjoyable enough to carry the reader through the series, ultimately something has been lost in translation between the author's mind and the page. I can almost see the vividness that should be there, but there's just not quite enough in the description to get me all the way.
I'm still here for one main reason; Max. My goodness, I love him! Yes, he's got magic powers and a great body (complete with tattoos, although no wings...), but it's the fact that he doesn't quite fit the mould of other fantasy MMCs - somehow he feels more like a real person. He's a bit brooding, but can have a laugh and open up. He talks like a man far older than he actually is, and just wants a quiet life pruning his garden. He's quiet strength and stability, rather than a bold brash hero. And it all just works for me! Now I've finished, I've signed up to the author's newsletter so I can access Max's prequel story, 'Ashen Son', as I want more if this character in my life!
Will I read the books again? Probably not. But I will give the audiobooks of 2 and 3 a go in future!...more
In all honesty, I was a little thrown by this second instalment of the War of Lost Hearts series. I enjoyed the story and continue to fall for MaxantaIn all honesty, I was a little thrown by this second instalment of the War of Lost Hearts series. I enjoyed the story and continue to fall for Maxantarius, the brooding hero who's secretly a hopeless romantic optimist with a heartbreaker's smile, but there was a lot that felt quite disjointed in terms of the writing and character development throughout. It does come across very much as the bridging book between start and end - while it absolutely moves the overall story arc forward and drops some great plot points, it doesn't really have enough going for it to stand on its own merits.
My favourite part of this book is the continuing development of Max and Tisaanah's relationship. IMO, these are the scenes which showcase the writer at her best. There is a small amount of spice, but for the most part their blossoming romance is shown through moments of touching calm amongst the chaos. To see the cranky old man lighten up, smile and surrender to his feelings is beautiful, and makes him all the more lovable. And Tisannah's growing confidence is also well conveyed, complete with setbacks and strife that really add to her complexity as a character.
A new character POV, that of Aefe, is introduced in this book with basically no warning, which is very disconcerting. Especially when it's not immediately obvious how this is going to tie in with the main narrative. However, overall I found this element if the book more interesting, and loved how it developed. There were a couple of twists and turns I did not see coming; it's certainly something of a rollercoaster!
Otherwise, the book's pacing seemed a bit all over the place to me. I know a lot of books build up to an epic war that seems to be all over in five minutes flat, but this war really did feel like something of a damp squib. Part of that is explained by the characters' motivations, but equally it just feels like nothing hugely significance happens and it's over before it starts. Likewise, there are a lot of events and plot points that seem to happen without sufficient explanation or backstory, or that are resolved with minimal effort or effect on the plot - I'm hoping some of the threads will be picked up in book three, but for now it just leaves me scratching my head a little. It just leaves a lit of the secondary characters feeling a bit murky in terms of motivations.
The other thing I noticed is that there are a couple of plot devices recycled from the first book. While they remain effective as it's nice to see one character turning something back on another, at the same time it feels like the author may have reached the edges of the imagination.
It does end on a very good moment though, and I am certainly invested enough in the story to want to read book three ASAP!...more
Disclaimer: I listened to the audio version of this, so if I spell any of the character/place names incorrectly in my review, it's because I haven't sDisclaimer: I listened to the audio version of this, so if I spell any of the character/place names incorrectly in my review, it's because I haven't seen them written down.
We all know how this story goes. A spunky young human woman with a tragic backstory and a family to support because she's the only one who can finds herself in some kind of trouble, only for a talk, dark, handsome mysterious male warrior to arrive at an opportune moment and whisk her away to the land of the Fae. Somehow, this random human holds the key to saving all of Fae-kind, and the grumpy shadow daddy that is a bit of an ass to her at the outset slowly starts to reveal his soft centre and his hard anatomy ...more
One stoner artist nerd, Avi, and one straight A, straight laced, straight jock, Kyren, are forced into living under the same roof when their parents dOne stoner artist nerd, Avi, and one straight A, straight laced, straight jock, Kyren, are forced into living under the same roof when their parents decide to get married. When money troubles mean that college expenses start to mount up, Avi's friend suggests a way for him to make some quick money. And if they can rope Kyren in as well, they might just make bank. The trouble is, the stepbrothers can't stand each other... right?
This is a book where you go in expecting fairly little, but get a whole host of feels and a decent story around and amongst the OnlyFans content. There is actually a cohesive narrative throughout, proper character development and genuine exploration of trauma, mental health issues, sexuality and self-acceptance. The building of the relationship between the two lead characters outside of the bedroom is beautifully done; their separate growth feeds into their their connection and is really heartwarming.
Writing wise, the first few chapters are a little clunky, trying to introduce the characters and get them to the 'right place, right time', but the writing starts to hit its stride when the boys are settled in at college and the real story can begin. From then on, it's an easy read, with the shifts in perspective between Avi and Kyren flowing seamlessly. It is a bit formulaic and predictable, it's certainly readable and it helps with the engagement; you definitely become one of 'the fans' as you read! Equally however, there are some moments which aren't written particularly well; the character of Ash, for example. Introduced from nowhere, acts as obstacle to HEA, disappears without trace.
OK, the elephant in the room. The smut. It's two guys, so if that's not for you, I really wouldn't pick this up. I'd say this is probably quantity over quality - it's not badly written, but given the writer is female I'd say the style reflects the obvious lack of first-hand experience! It's hot but not spicy, detailed but fairly generic (except for the video camera, of course!), but that works for the plot - it feels reflective of two inexperienced guys finding their way into their sexuality. And the fact that these scenes do play a role in the wider plot, not just in terms of their money-making potential for the characters but also in allowing and documenting their emotional relationship to evolve, means that you can't help but be drawn in.
Another big element to the book is college football. Not a sport I even remotely understand, but those scenes I treated the same way as I do the football talk in 'The Blind Side' - nod, smile, and don't let it get in the way of the story. As long as I know who wins the game, we're good.
I was surprised at how much I liked this one! And apparently there will be more......more
I'm not even sure where to begin with this review, but I get the love for this series now. This book gave me everything I was missingRating: 4.5 stars
I'm not even sure where to begin with this review, but I get the love for this series now. This book gave me everything I was missing from book one, and while I cannot say that it speaks to my soul in the same way as ACOTAR, I feel like this book is going to be the lynchpin of the series for me.
First and foremost, yup, I'm on board with Luther now! His character development is gorgeously done, keeping you guessing while equally giving you reassurance that, under the bravado and the mask of the Prince, he is exactly who you're hoping he'll be. From the fairly generic shadow daddy of book one to this, the writer has really upped her game to make him one of the swoonworthy MMCs currently filling the shelves. And oh, my goodness, the sweet torture of the slowest of burns! The writing is teasing, tense and tantalising, and while one part of me just wants to yell at the characters to jump eachother's bones already, the other part is revelling in the UST, the overprotective brooding and the silent yearning... so good!
I also adore each member of the found family. This small band of people are all so well drawn, I believe wholeheartedly in every last one. I could perhaps have done with a little more resistance to the change in order, but it's so enjoyable and sweet that it's only a little something in the back of my mind. But each of them bring something to the table that gives the whole premise a nice balance. Likewise, those characters who oppose the new order are equally brilliant - you are right there with Diem trying to work out who you can trust, and it's very easy to fervently despise those who get on her bad side.
I think the only character I struggled with was Henri. I can understand his feelings of loss, confusion and anger, but I'm not convinced by Diem and Henri's mixed feelings for eachother, nor their struggle to cut ties or become closer. And Diem's continuance of clinging to their relationship, even after he has shown her repeatedly the type of man he can be, just doesn't quite fit for me with the rest of her personality.
There are some big old emotional moments in this book that are so well written and conjure some incredible images in the mind. The set pieces are all so vivid, it really is like watching a movie inside your head. Likewise, some of the smaller heart-to-hearts or other little touches also shine thorough, making the whole feel layered and so effective. And that ending! So many questions, but so good!
Like with 'Catching Fire', I like book 2 more than book 1 because I'm familiar with the characters and the setting, and so the worldbuilding from scratch is no longer required. However, in this book it just keeps building, with more details about the various other realms, the history of Lumnos and the workings of Descended society playing very important roles. It is a lot to take in and it did make my head spin a little, but it does help that you're learning a lot of this information alongside the main character, so it feels less if an info-dump and more like you finding your feet with her.
I have downloaded the bonus chapter and will be reading that shortly, and then it's onto book 3! I'm prepared for a painful cliffhanger and a cry of 'but when's book 4 coming?!'. Here's hoping there might be news of that from the author's mouth at RARE in July!...more
This is the book where we get down to business. Obviously it came before Onyx Storm, but there are a lot of similar vibes going on with our main charaThis is the book where we get down to business. Obviously it came before Onyx Storm, but there are a lot of similar vibes going on with our main characters exploring outside their own little world and discovering that not all is quite as it seems. Full of twists and turns, shocks and surprises, the narrative just keeps on giving. Until it doesn't...
So yes, there is A LOT going on in here. I didn't necessarily find it the easiest to follow along with every nuance, but for a passenger princess it's a hell of a good journey. Watching Diem grow into her role is really satisfying, but I also like that the author has retainer her character flaws and draws attention to them. My only slight hesitation is that I can feel the author pulling the strings within the writing as the characters travel; there is that underlying tone of them just being pieces on a chessboard rather than the story holding a natural flow.
I'm hugely pleased that Luther finally feels like he's joining the pantheon of shadow daddies in this book. His relationship with Diem and, in particular, the way his devotion to her and her ideals is portrayed throughout is just gorgeous, whether in the midst of battle, in quiet contemplation or in the smouldering looks and flirtatious banter. But, this book is a chonker, and we've been waiting for two books already for the 'big moment'... so needless to say that the UST is delicious to the point of painful, and there was much screaming at the pages willing them to just get it on already!
I think it's common knowledge that this book ends on a cliffhanger. And what a cliffhanger it is! The action is reaching its peak, you're already prepared for the worst... and then there's more, just to really leave you wanting. It really pulls together on everything you've learned during the course of the book, and in these moments I found I could truly 'inhabit' Diem's character for the first time. It's a masterstroke and has genuinely left me desperate to know what happens next. And yet, while I know the first three chapters of 'Burn' are available for signing up to the author's newsletter (done and done), I'm in two minds whether to read them... I really do want to know what happens, but at the same time I feel like this is the feeling the author intended you to carry into the next book when it's released, so why would I want to spoil it?! If anyone has read the three chapters and has opinions, please tell me what I should do!!
There are moments in here where the writing is perhaps a bit clunky, and elements where I had to go back and reread because I felt like characters/items/plot points were just appearing from thin air, which detracted from my enjoyment a little. However, I can equally say that I was not in the greatest headspace while reading this one, so some of that may be down to my comprehension and concentration levels being lower than usual. I'm definitely coming back to this series though, and Penn Cole is now firmly on my 'must see' list for RARE25London!...more
Lincoln Porter is just trying to keep his late father's floundering lobster business afloat and keep himself to himself. Which is madRating: 3.5 stars
Lincoln Porter is just trying to keep his late father's floundering lobster business afloat and keep himself to himself. Which is made all the harder when a body is caught up in his traps. A police investigation ensues, with Lincoln as an obvious suspect. But no matter how much he wants to stay away, something draws him to the lead detective on the case and, once he looks into her eyes, his past, present and future collide..
This is the first of Emily McIntire's books I've read outside the 'Never After series, so I wasn't completely sure what to expect going in. I have conflicting views which I can't really explain... I LOVE her storytelling, and I really enjoy reading her books - I get all the vibes and the feels from the characters and the plots are generally great. In fact, I'd say she's one of my favourite authors. But at the same time I'm never completely sold on her actual writing. It's like I totally get what she's trying to do and my brain compensates for the fact that I don't necessarily get everything I need from just the words on the page. Does that make any sense at all? I don't know. But this book falls squarely into that description.
The imagery it evokes really feels like the set up for one of those Scandinavian crime dramas - small community, abandoned (sort of) lighthouse, outsider cop come to investigate grizzly unalivings, loner main character who might or might not be a bad guy, and a mystery within a mystery. It's so atmospheric! I could really easily picture the setting and the various scenes in my head, and the reader's mood is absolutely shifted accordingly.
Lincoln and Sloane, our main characters, have sparks flying from the moment they meet. I don't think their chemistry is entirely consistent throughout, but when it's on, it's ON. It's immediately obvious where things are going to lead between them (for the most part), so you're just happy to be along for the ride. The romantic element is the glue that holds the story together, but at the same time there is enough of an intrigue about these characters and the crimes being committed that it's fot the potential for wider appeal. And of course there are a few spicy moments to saitaiate your (and the characters') need to break the tension. Individually, I think Lincoln is a fine broody male, and he's the one I'd like to see more of - his history is interesting and I'd love to read a prequel! Sloane I didn't find as alluring, but as the book progresses you can't help but be drawn into her story.
I wasn't as enamoured by the supporting cast; there's quite a lot of stock characters. They have been given personalities and do play their roles well enough, but they don't quite add enough to the world we're in to make it fully real.
Returning to the plot, I did enjoy the layering of the current case over the old mystery that still haunts Lincoln, but it is clear where the authors' hearts and specialties lie. The criminal element does run like a thread throughout everything, but equally there are moments where it feels like the writers forgot about their instigating event and suddenly jerk back to attention by throwing in a new body. The 'old' case is far more interesting than the new in my opinion, and I did enjoy how that slowly unravelled.
Overall, I did like this book, but it does reinforce that contemporary dark(ish) romance isn't really my genre (I like my fictional men with wings, or shadows, or magic, or all three). For those who do like it though, I'm certain that this would be a great book for you!...more
It's time for 'The Little Mermaid' to get the Emily McIntire treatment! Enzo comes to Atlantic Cove engaged to the beautiful but vapiRating: 4.5 stars
It's time for 'The Little Mermaid' to get the Emily McIntire treatment! Enzo comes to Atlantic Cove engaged to the beautiful but vapid Aria, daughter to the boss of the state's organised crime ring. He's the son of a New York mafia Don, and is content to do his duty. But when he meets Vanesa, Aria's witch of a cousin, sparks begin to fly as their dark deeds come to light.
Immediately, I can say that this takes the crown as my favourite of the Never After series. The story has the best feel and flow, the relationship is really engaging and keeps you invested, and the characters all evoke strong emotions from the reader. Considering the personal difficulties experienced by the author during the writing of this book, I actually think this may be the best writing of the series too.
I love the fact that the attraction and UST between Enzo and Vanesa is sizzling from literally the moment they officially meet for the first time. We were warned that this was going to be a slow burn and it absolutely is, but it's not a frustrating wait; it feels naturally inevitable and reading about their attraction and back-and-forth just makes you want a relationship like theirs! Both characters have wonderful appeal individually too - Enzo appears incredibly well put together, sexy and confident, with a hint of that vulnerability which makes women melt and a violent dark streak, ultimately making him an almost perfect morally grey man!
Vanesa, although seeking validation from her Uncle, is an incredibly strong woman, determined to only be reliant upon herself until she meets the one person who can match and compliment her without smothering her. What I really love about her though is that she encompasses a lot of diversity within one character; an out and proud bisexual, even in the face of people who don't support or accept that aspect of her; a curvy girl who is still portrayed as gorgeous and sexy; and a woman who wants to remain childless by choice who isn't made to feel guilty about it! And the way it's written, nothing comes across as controversial, but rather it's readily accepted.
The secondary characters are great too. Aria REALLY annoys me; she's a horrible character, a spoiled brat and an almost stereotypical mean girl... but that is precisely why she works! Both Enzo and Vanesa's underlings have great personalities, and are a riot when they come together, and the two family heads are just utter b*****ds. There isn't a single character that feels like filler or a placeholder; they've all been well developed and have a clear purpose. And there are moments throughout where you do question some of their motives, which adds an extra edge to the narrative.
I did manage to pre-empt the majority of the twists, but nevertheless I enjoyed watching the story unfold and reward me for my correct guessing. There are a couple of small moments in the narrative which feel underdeveloped, but what I feel is missing from those moments is more character development / backstory / motivation, rather than a lack of driving the plot forward. Overall though, the pace feels pretty much spot on.
It wouldn't be a Never After novel without a few good spicy scenes. Again, the magnetic draw between the two characters is electric, so when they do get down to business, it really is a release of tension! And I love the fact that they don't shy away from PDA - the fact that their underlings keep having to leave the apartment because they can't keep their hands off of eachother just gives me the warm fuzzies!
I know this is meant to be the last of the series, but I really hope it isn't - I will continue to buy books by this author as long as they keep being released!...more
A different take on the fantasy/romantasy genre, this book is comfortingly familiar and yet refreshingly original. Elspeth was infected with old magicA different take on the fantasy/romantasy genre, this book is comfortingly familiar and yet refreshingly original. Elspeth was infected with old magic as a child; something which, if caught by the King's Physicians, will likely result in her death. She has kept her ability secret from everyone, but the voice in her head is getting stronger. And when she's ambushed in the woods by highwaymen on the search for Providence Cards, the acceptable source of magic, it starts her on a path towards love, treason, and perhaps even death...
My first impression is that this is a book that should be devoured in one sitting. I got off to a bit of a slow start (busy week!), and read the first dozen chapters in fits and starts. This feels like it detracted from my enjoyment of the book, as it disrupted the flow and meant I didn't settle into the story until much later than I otherwise would have. The writing style is such that you are dropped into the middle of the world and left to discover things as you go, so I was really only able to immerse myself on my longer reading run.
The worldbuilding is something of a game of two halves; the magic system is an incredible piece of imagination and is really well layered into the book. The Providence Cards do take a moment to digest, and there are moments of exposition which possibly could have been smoothed out slightly better to explain them, but ultimately the plot hinges on them and it really, really works. I was actually really surprised by this, as I couldn't quite imagine it going in. The background of the mist and 'old' magic is beautifully woven and the effect this has in Elspeth is fantastically drawn out! However, I was less certain about the actual physical worldbuilding of place and time. It all makes sense and it visible in my minds eye, but it didn't feel as tangible or well developed.
The story does give me something of a twisted Cinderella vibe throughout, with Elspeth being the cast-out child of the deceased first wife, looked down upon by the wicked stepmother and two (not ugly) stepsisters. But it's when she meets her handsome Captain (the Prince is otherwise engaged, and something of a brute... and not in a good way) that things really start to pick up. Again, the relationship development isn't entirely smooth - after an initial show of reluctance, there's very little resistance before they are happily getting cosy. Ryven is definitely my favourite character in the book, but the whole of the Yew family are wonderful; the author has really captured the essence of a naturally happy family, comfortable in each other's company and pulling together towards a common goal. I love Jes' attitude in particular! Conversely, Hauth is a great person to love to hate; everything he does makes him more and more unlikeable.
But the best thing in this book is The Nightmare. I could hear his voice immediately (in my head he's played by James Earl Jones), and the cleverly layered conversations he has with Elspeth give him that dark lord energy, but with just a hint of a sense of humour and heart that make him feel just as 'real' as the rest of the characters.
Overall, I found this a really interesting read and I'm incredibly glad that book two of the duology is already available!...more
The Physician is dead. The Crown Prince is hanging by a thread, and no matter what will likely never be the same again. And Elspeth Spindle's NightmarThe Physician is dead. The Crown Prince is hanging by a thread, and no matter what will likely never be the same again. And Elspeth Spindle's Nightmare has taken over. All that is left for Ravyn is to fulfil what has been foretold and unite the Deck in the hope that maybe, just maybe, the world can be set right.
It does take a moment for you to settle into reading this one, as the POV you've gotten used to in book one changes a bit. Two consciousnesses sharing one body makes for a bit of a brain workout, but somehow it still works really well. The writing within these chapters flows seamlessly between Elspeth and Nightmare, and does an amazing job at painting the picture of their being separate and yet one. The style matches that of the first book, and yet feels more developed and confident, like the author is really telling the story the way they see it in their mind's eye. The relationship between these two characters is further fleshed out and, as you learn more about Nightmare, you really begin to understand him and see more than just the dark spectre; it's beautifully done!
That being said, there is a lot of backstory and exposition in this one. Again, it's woven really well into the main narrative and it doesn't feel like an afterthought or a chore to read at all, but I do wonder if it might have helped a bit more being in the first book? As this is only a duology, some of the explanation seems to come pretty late in the day. However, some elements of it really build up the emotional tie to the characters and the plot, so by the time of the climax you are properly invested.
As before, Ravyn is my favourite character (although Elm does a lot of heavy lifting in this one to bring him right up in my estimations!) and I cared most about what happens to him. His relationship with Elspeth and Nightmare works fantastically well in this book, and yet at the same time when his actions bring him centre stage I didn't quite get that 'OMG what happens next?!' moment. He should be an epic book boyfriend, but there just isn't quite that connection, and I can't explain why.
I'm a bit stuck about how to describe the pacing and development though. It's neither fast nor slow, and yet some elements of character or relationship development happen incredibly quickly with very little in the way of depth. There is nothing in here that feels forced in terms of that development, but equally I can't say I felt there was a lot of justification for it - it just seems to happen. The worldbuilding continues to be interesting and different, but somehow less vivid despite the uniqueness of the scenario. I suspect this is something to do with the fact that world feels more contained than in other fantasy/romantasy series, so it doesn't have that same 'epic' feel that you might have expected going in.
Overall though, this is a beautifully written duology, standing out from the crowd and doing a damned good job of it!...more
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