I really hated the first 60% of this book. The story felt contrived and forced and was overly melodramatic. But the last half or so of the book was quI really hated the first 60% of this book. The story felt contrived and forced and was overly melodramatic. But the last half or so of the book was quite good, at least 4 stars....more
This one was more fun than the first and not as many places that made me tilt my head. It seemed to me that the narrative smoothed out considerably, tThis one was more fun than the first and not as many places that made me tilt my head. It seemed to me that the narrative smoothed out considerably, the pacing was just right, and some of the characters saw personal growth....more
At first, with the plot holes and a few TSTL tropes, I wasn't sure I would want to continue this series. I also got the impression early on that it waAt first, with the plot holes and a few TSTL tropes, I wasn't sure I would want to continue this series. I also got the impression early on that it was more paranormal romance than urban fantasy.
I'm happy to report that I was mistaken on both counts. I think the strength of this book is in the characters and the rather unique magic system/lore. I also think that you can see the author's voice kind of settle into itself as the book progresses, enough so that it has me curious to see if it continues to develop and improve as the series progresses. I'd like to spend a bit more time with the characters, too.
Yeah, this particular book isn't all smooth sailing, but its bones are good. I want to see how it matures....more
I think I liked this one the best of the series. There were fewer glaring plot holes and the ending felt tighter.
It was still riddled with ch3.5 stars
I think I liked this one the best of the series. There were fewer glaring plot holes and the ending felt tighter.
It was still riddled with character stupidity and too much sex as a plot pacing device, but I think the author was going for humor more than credibility with this series so I've tried not to be too hard on her for it over all.
I think this series would have been much improved if Ms. MacAlister had just left the romance off of it. Aisling is better when she's not thinking witI think this series would have been much improved if Ms. MacAlister had just left the romance off of it. Aisling is better when she's not thinking with her genitals and Drake is a horrible being and not even a little sexy. And there was a bit too much sex in this one. I did find myself flipping to the end of them.
Otherwise it's a cute, if formulaic and a bit repetitive, urban fantasy with some very humorous zingers here and there.
This is the third time I've marked this as read. Let's see if THIS time Goodreads will actually mark it as read and add it to my challenge for this yeThis is the third time I've marked this as read. Let's see if THIS time Goodreads will actually mark it as read and add it to my challenge for this year. ******************************* I hate selecting books on the mobile app. Trying to select the correct version of the book is nearly impossible and then you realize you've got two marked and it's a zoo. Anyway, this was my review that I wrote on the paperback edition (because that was the edition that came up on my mobile app) although I listened to the audio. ******************************** 3.5
I thought I marked this as read the other day. Anyway, it was good but it was absolutely PNR. It seemed a bit more like it was suited to the Night Huntress World series in that it had a typical PNR format. First copulation with non-virgins often tend to happen around the 50% mark in PNR, and in the case of a virginal participant putting off the first copulation to the 60 to 70% mark is more likely to happen.
This one it happened around the 50% mark. I was surprised to hear them talking about love although it wasn't exactly insta-love.
Ian is still funny, and Frost is managing to give him a lot more depth than we've previously seen from him, so that's nice.
It'll be interesting to see how this one flushes out.
******************************** Holding off on this for a bit. I'm seeing folks say "cliff hanger" in their reviews and if that's the case then I'll pass on this until it's finished completely.
It was as good as you would expect from a BDB book, even if I didn't care for the 'spraying scent' thing that happened. Some of it was really chees3+
It was as good as you would expect from a BDB book, even if I didn't care for the 'spraying scent' thing that happened. Some of it was really cheesy, too. I kept waiting for someone to break the fourth wall and hang a lantern on it.
We've all been waiting for Murder's story for so long that it felt a bit anti-climactic to me. A bit too business-as-usual. Also, most of the brothers were just jack asses where Murder was concerned. I was a bit surprised he was so willing to forgive and forget given how ready the brothers had been to think the worst of him and then treat him like shit for so long.
This one was obviously contrived to pull the heart strings. In spite of that obviousness I balled like a baby. I'm talking ugly crying here. Tissue,4+
This one was obviously contrived to pull the heart strings. In spite of that obviousness I balled like a baby. I'm talking ugly crying here. Tissue, body fluids not necessarily from the eyes, the whole nine yards.
I didn't realize books 2 & 3 were already out. This continues the spin off of the Baine Chronicles. This one had a bit more erotic content than the fiI didn't realize books 2 & 3 were already out. This continues the spin off of the Baine Chronicles. This one had a bit more erotic content than the first one. The story was good, and I really like these characters. I like Fenris better in this series than I liked him in the original.
One of Draven's earlier works this fantasy romance tends to lean a bit more heavily on the erotic side of the romance than you are likely to see in heOne of Draven's earlier works this fantasy romance tends to lean a bit more heavily on the erotic side of the romance than you are likely to see in her more recent works.
The relationship theme is a bit too alpha male dominant to suit me, but it would be ideal for people who enjoy their escapist literature with a bit of the angry alpha male dominant besotted with seemingly rebellious slave girl trope. If you are all good with that then you will probably enjoy this entry in Draven's catalog.
Draven's writing is always competent and in so being it makes it very easy to get swept away in her worlds, characters, and stories. Draconus is no less capable of doing that, even for being an earlier work.
UPDATED TO ADD: I forgot to mention that Draven is going to be offering this title again via an online service whose name escapes me at this moment. I'll update when I remember the name. The point being is that this title should become available again soon with an updated cover....more
Although this was a bit longer than the first one it was still short. The two parts combined make a nice little novella.
I have to admit that I have beAlthough this was a bit longer than the first one it was still short. The two parts combined make a nice little novella.
I have to admit that I have become a Diener fan when it comes to romance. In my opinion she combines just the right amount of romance with occasional graphic elements (although this novella didn't have any graphic elements) framed by excellent stories and characters with whom it is easy to empathize. I have enjoyed every Diener I've read so far, and this two part novella is no exception....more
I didn't really connect with the MCS on this one. I wasn't crazy about Ward trying to turn V into an asshole, either. At least she pulled that out.I didn't really connect with the MCS on this one. I wasn't crazy about Ward trying to turn V into an asshole, either. At least she pulled that out....more
Thea Harrison does PNR right. She's always got such great plots and characters, and the Elder Races world is just so rich and well thought out, that iThea Harrison does PNR right. She's always got such great plots and characters, and the Elder Races world is just so rich and well thought out, that in general I hold her up as one of the "this is how paranormal romance should be done" authors.
Spellbinder is no exception to this general rule. It was a fun ride....more
I don't think this was the strongest one in the series, but then it's been 3 years since the last one and I may have just become a bit more d3.5 stars
I don't think this was the strongest one in the series, but then it's been 3 years since the last one and I may have just become a bit more distanced from the world than I had been.
Even so, it was nice of the author to return to the series to tie up the loose ends....more
This one was more romance than the urban fantasy series it was spun from, The Baine Chronicles, athough it's still a fairly slow burn romance. Not a3+
This one was more romance than the urban fantasy series it was spun from, The Baine Chronicles, athough it's still a fairly slow burn romance. Not a lot happened in the book in terms of adventure or danger and it ultimately ended up feeling like an introduction and set-up book for the series that will follow.
I enjoyed seeing this side of Fenris as it begins to round him out more as a character in his own right. I also liked the Mina character and look forward to seeing how see matures through the series.
Walt is a good writer with a creative mind, and her Baine Chronicles world is easy to slide into. My only worry is that the relationship aspects will over shadow the plots. For me this is not a bonus, although I know romance readers will be pleased....more