In terms of a smooth book length arc and consistent characters this might have been the best book to date.
I've seen others suggest that it didn't reaIn terms of a smooth book length arc and consistent characters this might have been the best book to date.
I've seen others suggest that it didn't really add value to the long arc but I disagree. The introduction of the Vegas people into the story, the slight reveals of Alexa's longer purpose, and significantly more development and changes in regards to the politics of the various different groups did move the story along, even if not with leaps and bounds.
It was engaging and I didn't feel like Alexa was as sometimey as she has so often been in the past.
Over all I would say this is perhaps one of the better offerings in this series although I have to admit there were still a few things that were signiOver all I would say this is perhaps one of the better offerings in this series although I have to admit there were still a few things that were significant speed bumps in my suspension of disbelief.
Alexa continues to be a frustrating dichotomy of codependency and monster narcissism , with a driving need to save the world from monsters juxtaposed next to a driving need to tear throats out and revel in blood and lust. She continues to self destructively yearn for relationships with people who abuse her, leaving a distaste in my mouth that I can't quite rinse out with the understanding that there is something else very subtle going on that is barely alluded to.
The personal journey regarding the long story arc, finding out what Alexa is and how her relationship with Arys is a part of that, made significant strides in this book. There are also big happenings and reveals that will effect the long story line, life changing events.
That said, there were still plot pacing devices that were so transparent they were stumbling blocks. Don't spend half the book showing me that the bad guy is killing people in the protags life, making it so that finding and stopping the bad guy is the driving force of the story, and then when you find the bad guy go into the confrontation by choosing not to take the only weapon that will work against the bad guy because "you just want to talk this time." What? She just decapitated two of your people and promised to continue doing it until you cooperate and you want to TALK it out? Unbelievable.
It seemed as if the confrontation came too fast and so this implausible situation was written to extend the story. It was uncharacteristic and not a smooth part of the story at all.
Still, when the ultimate confrontation happened later in the book it was action packed and satisfying.
Pretty hot little 3-some fantasy short. Sinnder's fantasy, that is. Sinnder is an equal opportunity player and a very dirty boy. I like that about himPretty hot little 3-some fantasy short. Sinnder's fantasy, that is. Sinnder is an equal opportunity player and a very dirty boy. I like that about him. :D...more
3.5 to 4 stars. I have kind of a semi love/ hate going on with these books. Early on I was appreciative of the menage twist to the relationship dynami3.5 to 4 stars. I have kind of a semi love/ hate going on with these books. Early on I was appreciative of the menage twist to the relationship dynamic, as opposed to the love triangle/ someone must be chosen paradigm. However, in the more recent books it seems as though the poly aspects are kind of false-faced and at least one of the parties is sort of "waiting to be chosen." The amount of angst that surrounds this ends up making it read a lot like just another love triangle, or four-angle, or is that a five-angle?
The vast majority of this book was about relationship angst, and since Alexa has many relationships there was a lot to angst over. Still a strong character trait, Alexa is as codependent as ever, believing that she must sacrifice herself for anyone and everyone in her life. When I force myself to push through the nausea inspired by that particular trope I see things beginning to develop in the long arc that suggest a plot device justification for this behavior rather than just an annoying character trait designed to create tension and drama. That slight hint of a deeper meaning will hold my attention for a while longer.
The non-relationship book arc story was slow to develop in this installment, but when it climaxed it did so like a bit of a freight train. I would have enjoyed a more definitive conclusion to the conflict but I see that it is a part of the story that is going to carry into book 6. Since this book ended with loose ends but not a real cliff hanger then I won't complain too much, but I do hope the next installment moves this part of the story along a bit more quickly.
We got introduced to a new character in this book, Willow the fallen angel, that I liked quite a bit but suspect there is more to him than meets the eye. I think there is plans for a short involving him this year and I am looking forward to that.
The sparse book story arc left a lot of room for exploration of the relationships and for a significant amount of revealing of the long arc. The long arc regarding the nature of the relationship between Arys, Shaz, and Trina and what its purpose might ultimately be is engaging and will keep me coming back.
Final analysis? Although there are still things that set my teeth on edge about this series I'd be lying if I said the characters, world, and story weren't captivating. All in all it's an above average series and I consider it a find....more
Still pretty angsty and I had confusion about the world's rules particularly in regard to when it's ok to kill and when it's not, but it seems that miStill pretty angsty and I had confusion about the world's rules particularly in regard to when it's ok to kill and when it's not, but it seems that might be the author's intent. It seems like it could be a reflection of the protag's confusion.
That said, the characters are what drive these stories. They are deliciously imperfect and hard to fathom and passionate, and they drive me a little nuts without too many predictable tropes. What's not to like?...more
Fair enough. The protags weren't too broken or too stupid to live. I'm not sure if it's just me and my current attitude and poor health, but I found tFair enough. The protags weren't too broken or too stupid to live. I'm not sure if it's just me and my current attitude and poor health, but I found the erotica boring. It was hot enough, but I was bored by the frequency and wanted more story. Since I jumped right into the second one I guess I didn't abuse myself enough.