I began this series reading the latest (Dark Slayer) which is far into the series and enjoyed it fairly well. I'll write a review for that another timI began this series reading the latest (Dark Slayer) which is far into the series and enjoyed it fairly well. I'll write a review for that another time. Then I went to the beginning and started the series from there. This third installment in the series is my fourth dark book and in many ways I found it insufferable.
First the two things I liked about the book. I like the character of Aiden. He's quite likable and, although he's what is turning out to be so typically alpha(to the idiot power) male typical of these books, he's still approachable and generally endearing. I also saw a lot more humor in this book than any of the others that I've seen so far.
What is my biggest pet peeve so far with these books? It's the same thing I found so disturbing in this particular book. The heroines are whiny, insufferable, petulant children. I realized while reading Dark Gold that I was 360 pages in and still slogging through "I can't accept what's happened to me and is right in front of my eyes because is toooo traumatizing......WAAAAAHHHHHHH." Please. Someone smack her and put her out of all of our misery. This so far seems to be the default for the female protagonists in the early books (not so in Dark Slayer), but in Dark Gold the Alex character was too much to bear. I had no sympathy for her at all.
I've just started Dark Magic in the hopes that the three book build up to Gregori's story is a harbinger to something better. However, I'm 60 pages in and so far Savannah is proving to be just another boring whiner. I'll stick with these books for a few more installments, clinging to Dark Slayer in the hopes that at some point the female characters will become a bit more interesting....more
I liked this one better than the previous, Dark Gold, installment. Predominantly because there was a lot more humor in this book than the previous insI liked this one better than the previous, Dark Gold, installment. Predominantly because there was a lot more humor in this book than the previous installments and because the heroine's whining was a bit more truncated. I liked seeing Gregori get his comeupance in regards to his previous attitude about being indulgent with women.
Although they are decent books, so far I am finding them rather formulaic and most of the "alpha" males are essentially just twits. Because the first one I read, Dark Slayer, was a later book and was different I am continuing to hang in there in the hopes that the formula will change a bit because I do find the world and its lore fairly well done and some of the characters are engaging.
Christine Feehan has caused me to decide to add "molten" and "creamy" to my list of "words and phrases romance writers should never use." It will come in somewhere below Keri Arthur's "every fiber of his/her being" which, fortunately, is not seen much in this series (so far). Although I suppose creamy could be used as a descriptor for skin, but frankly as a description for body fluids it puts me off a good deal.
This series is ok, but the young adult concessions diluted it for me. That, and the primary male lead's ongoing, never ending, self hatred and angst oThis series is ok, but the young adult concessions diluted it for me. That, and the primary male lead's ongoing, never ending, self hatred and angst over what he is.
His brother, who revels in what he is, is a much more attractive and interesting character.
Also, the sexual element of vampirism is completely sublimated here into blood lust. No sex other than chaste kissing.
So, you get lots of longing for kisses, followed by fairly chaste kisses, which ultimately end in self loathing for having kissed.
Probably a good bet for the 12 year old set, but emo boys don't hold my attention....more
This newest installment in the Night Huntress series was not quite as riveting as previous installments. It was good, don't get me wrong, the story isThis newest installment in the Night Huntress series was not quite as riveting as previous installments. It was good, don't get me wrong, the story is engaging, there is genuine laugh out loud humor that the author and these characters is so good for, and some of the development in the secondary characters was a special treat (go Vlad!)
However, the primary characters ongoing inability to be honest with each other, their angst over it, and their propensity to "throw it all away to save the other" has become an obvious plot device that I am beginning to experience problems with my suspension of disbelief with.
Perhaps this time around it was just too cruel only to be smoothed over with "psyche" for me....more