4.5 This second book in the Ascension Series takes the reader on an emotional roller-coaster ride. The never-stopping action leaves you with an adrenal4.5 This second book in the Ascension Series takes the reader on an emotional roller-coaster ride. The never-stopping action leaves you with an adrenaline spike that not even a bottle of Valium can quell. You smile, you laugh, you scowl, you cry. You might plot a murder for a character who's causing so much pain in their blindness.
The plot sees Elise and Rylie fighting together again, they start from two separates "cases" and realize they are intertwined. At the end of the book the world isn't the same, literally. Nor are the two leading ladies.
Ms Reine is an incredible young writer. She writes the kind of UF that hooked me on the genre: incredible world-building, a bunch of characters worth their ink and the perfect heroine. Strong, kick-ass without ever getting into the wonder woman fantasy trope. Angsty without ever being unreasonable.
Hell's Belle tries to mix the darker shades of UF with the light tone of some PNR. The mix wasn't the right one for me, but there will be plenty readerHell's Belle tries to mix the darker shades of UF with the light tone of some PNR. The mix wasn't the right one for me, but there will be plenty readers who'll love its lighter side (to balance the gritty plot).
There are a few points that detracted to the story (for me): --The YA feel that I found didn't match the plot. Nina is 30 yo, but I read her as a teen in both behavior and skills. --The inconsistence of some characters, both the heroine and Max. The latter seemed almost psychotic in his behavior, and well before the world crashed (almost literally) around him. Nina was made of rubber: everything bounced on her. Whatever lies, misdirections, actions she was the object of seemed to leave her unaffected. --Side characters were interesting, but too shallow.
The beginning was a bit info-dump-y (understandable in a debut that starts a series), and unfortunately the prologue didn't help at all.
If you are a fan of lighter UF with humor in it, you might want to give it a try.
Mine To Keep starts a few weeks after the previous novella ended. And exactly like the first, the story moves around obsession.
If Mine To Take centereMine To Keep starts a few weeks after the previous novella ended. And exactly like the first, the story moves around obsession.
If Mine To Take centered around two men's obsession with a woman, Mine to Keep is about revenge, and lies. Here obsession is the name of the game for all characters. Trace and Skye obsession for each others, the stalkers/killers from the past are obsessed with revenge, then there's someone obsessed with greed, an other with justice and someone else still with guilt.
As you can imagine this book can be pretty intense :) But if you think Trace was creepy before, just wait to read this book and you'll see "creepy"... I found the leading couple at times perfectly balances (in their furious love for each other), at times quite the opposite (Skye does seem weak willed compared with his intensity). But the story does involve Skye's growth, her moving from victim to survivor. (And she's not the only one.)
I can't say this is the kind of books I love (and I didn't like this that much, too unreal for me), but it's Ms Eden's strength that she compels me to go beyond my usual tastes.
This is one of the very few PNR series with an incredible world built around the love story. I'm never sure what grabs me more... well, no, I know. I'This is one of the very few PNR series with an incredible world built around the love story. I'm never sure what grabs me more... well, no, I know. I'm a sucker for a great, intriguing, almost bleak world. And all of Erin Kellison's books in the Shadows/Shadow Kissed series have such.
The romance is there, is right but it's never shadowing the plot and the world. Or, if you prefer, it's not The plot/world, but just part of it.
The fantasy created by this author is stunning: mages, humans, angels, fae. No one is exactly what you'd expect, except maybe the fae :) I had loved Fire Kissed, and Soul Kissed was as good.
There's a lot going on in this series, but I never felt the action overwhelming. In this particular novel I did feel the action lagging midway, the reason -I believe-lies in the Maeve/Cari split personality that calls for a different kind of tension.
Like many other readers, I was charmed by Fletcher and happy to see a parent figure as a hero. :) And the story is full of children, but then Shadow Bound was all about the consequences due to the birth of a child, wasn'it? < grin >
3 1/2 A few words only. Thanks Naysa. Without her nudge I would have missed the third novel in the Beyond series.
The first two, however wonderful as a3 1/2 A few words only. Thanks Naysa. Without her nudge I would have missed the third novel in the Beyond series.
The first two, however wonderful as anything touched by the wonder duo, weren't for me. I was much more interested in the world and the story than in the erotic development of the main romance.
Beyond Pain is much more balanced and therefore more my cuppa. I found the ending a bit abrupt maybe, but I am more eager for the next than I had ever been before. :-)...more
Tempting Bella made use of two tropes of romance, one common (misunderstanding), one rarer (a child bride unknown to her husband). I've read only a coTempting Bella made use of two tropes of romance, one common (misunderstanding), one rarer (a child bride unknown to her husband). I've read only a couple of books that used this last idea.
I liked the hero, happy to have at least once read about an honest man who treats women with compassion, doesn't believe he knows better and doesn't think his desires are her commands. Pretty fresh uh? :)
I can't say I'm that happy with the heroine. She's a 19 year old girl that should be pretty savvy for her age. Unfortunately she behaves as immaturely as a teen of today. We are told she's keen and clever, able to understand the heavy math of a financial books. But we don't really see much outside an insecure girl, almost spoiled.
It would have been less of a problem if the misunderstanding / mistrusting trope hadn't been used heavily almost until the end.
In fact, there's not much of a plot outside the romance, his sweet courting of his bride, so this two aspects were pretty heavy for me. As often the case in historical romances what bit of plot there is doesn't always compute with me. (view spoiler)[(For example how could a man know a child wasn't his when the colouring is the same is a mystery to me. Or how could a woman travel two years with her former fiancé and do not know who he is?) (hide spoiler)] It didn't help that side characters were barely sketched, from family to friends to the impromptu villain.
The prose was a little too purple for my tastes, I tend to snigger a lot when I read about manly parts and manly behaviour or such. But mostly my enjoyment was disrupted by formatting problems. In my copy all (and I mean all) instances of "fl" and "fi" were erased giving me a headache in the meantime :D As this was an uncorrected copy, it won't be a problem for the other readers.
This prequel short story is full of a weird and unexplained terminology associated with the world of Crescents, Dueces, Dragons and Caidos. (I understThis prequel short story is full of a weird and unexplained terminology associated with the world of Crescents, Dueces, Dragons and Caidos. (I understood only these last two beings.)
Unfortunately, this short seems to follow a marketing trend that is all the rage now: start a new series with a novella that is split in two parts. Part one is Dragon Mine and Dragon Rising is part two. The stories are strictly linked, but I was able to read DR without too many faltering steps.
The world-building is intriguing, but it needs a full novel to be appreciated. Otherwise it's a bit too confusing. Like the hero, it needs space to fully spread its wings. :D The short format damaged the plot too, or at least the romantic part. While I was interested in the mystery, the romance didn't really make too much sense for me. (view spoiler)[In less than 24 hours they bond for life. And again the terminology didn't help, Cobra vs Essex. Uh? (hide spoiler)]
While I didn't love this short story, I think there is potential for the series. (But I have no idea why it's called the Hidden.) We'll have to wait until 2014 when the first novel will be published, in the mean time enjoy this "snippets" (both of them) :)
An incredibly comprehensive encyclopedia on everything (and everyone) "media".
I was surprised by how detailed the entries were for such a "short" voluAn incredibly comprehensive encyclopedia on everything (and everyone) "media".
I was surprised by how detailed the entries were for such a "short" volume (I know, I wasn't supposed to be - given who the author and the editors are). There's really an entry on every facet of the communication world, from sub-genres in western films (cinema), to the new form of languages (cyberlanguage). The book targets university students, but it's a good reference for professionals too. Unless you are a professor, chances are you'll need to consult it to understand Zipf’s Law (on language) or brush your knowledge. If you are like me, you've probably stopped reading on theory at Uni, and went on the practicalities of the job.
I work in the field, so maybe I'm biased, but I was hooked from the Intro.
The ability of mass communications technologies to shape cognition and cultural evolution defines the dynamic of the modern world. Never before in the history of human civilization has the study of this dynamic become so critical. The Matrix illuminates this dynamic. Like the main protagonist of that movie, Neo, we now live ‘on’ and ‘through’ the computer screen. Our engagement with reality is largely shaped by that screen, whose technical name is the matrix, as the network of circuits that defines computer technology is called. But the same word also means ‘womb,’ etymologically speaking. The movie’s transparent subtext is that, with the advent of the digital universe, new generations are now being born in two kinds of wombs – the biological and the technological.
The Matrix and ethymology? Any doubt I should have this book on my desk evaporated...
I can't decide what I liked more: the recipes, the stories, the photos, the graphic layout. This book is a mouth-watering delight for the senses.
I liI can't decide what I liked more: the recipes, the stories, the photos, the graphic layout. This book is a mouth-watering delight for the senses.
I live in a country with mostly Sefarditic and Italkim tradition, so the Deli's Ashkenazic is something I have always heard about, but never could have. You can imaging how happy I was to be able to grab this cookbook :D
I couldn't imagine how lovely this book was going to be. I smiled at the stories and interviews, laughed realizing the chicken broth is my mum's and took notes for a few recipes: the Latkes in all their variations, the Russian Egg Salad, blintzes, and probably more than a fair share of recipes of Chapter 6 (baking is something I'm familiar with) and, last but not least, the cheesecake!
Those are probably the easiest to do, but I've never tried the Jewish cousine and I'm worried of the potential for disaster. But also, from my work experience in my town Jewish Museum, I know ingredients are not easy to come by. (When I worked for the local community, for every holidays we had to go to a city an hour away to find Kosher foods. But what delight we tasted :D.) Luckily for the readers, the authors have added a final chapters on "Sources and Resources" (and a metric converter to boot!!!). It may not always help, but it's a useful start.
A final note: I was surprised to see how good the authors were in reinventing and adapting. When you deal with Tradition (note the capital T), it's always a risk. Kudos :-)
Well, hello, Prince Charming. Where have you been all this time? No, no guys, I haven't found my One and Only. But I did meet John and he has3.5 stars
Well, hello, Prince Charming. Where have you been all this time? No, no guys, I haven't found my One and Only. But I did meet John and he has me charmed to the bones. (Sorry, I couldn't resist..)
Charming has an incredible world-building, well laid off and spread without info-dumps. (But it's the first in a series, so there's plenty of it.) What if a Charming did save a princess? And thus became a Prince or the first in a line of knights on a white horse? This is the basic idea behind this story, but the story is so much more. On this idea the author builds an incredible world made of monsters, knights and magic. And no, the good guys are not who you might think.
The plot revolves around John Charming, monster and monster hunter extraordinare, on the run for his life. While hiding he meets a weird group of vampire hunters led by Sig. And here starts the merry-go-round we are lead on.
If you think it sound like fun, it's because it is. The story is pretty fresh, there's plenty of humor, great battle scenes and a romantic thread. And let's not forget the secondary characters.
Now, my pet peeves:
-Humor. The book is funny, but I admit I prefer graveyard humor to frat-boy one. Given the context (he's a werewolf raised by knights who hunts and kill were, so lots of inner tension, plus he's older than your average granpa), some of the humor was really off for me. Really too much of a college idea of wit.
-Romance. Sorry romance lovers, but I think your influence "ruined" a good plain UF. :D Honestly, I did not get the romance in this story. John and Sig have barely met, the storyline last less than a week, but hey we are in luuv. I beg your pardon? Plus, I think that while the idea had some merit (or would have with much more time and things happening in between. He's a loner and needs warm in his life, she needs change) as it's told, the romance doesn't really make sense. A couple of chapters in the book and the hero is already told off by her friends. At that moment in time what he knows about her sums in: beautiful, busty, strong and six-foot tall woman warrior who has a serious problem of gossip. Sorry, but character envy aside (grin), she has a mouth bigger than Texas with other people's secrets. With his past, the only real (sounding) course would have been to run away. And even if you take into account the geas, the relationship did not click for me. It sounded awfully convenient, but nothing else. So convenient that one point was bent a bit too much. (view spoiler)[Sig sees ghosts, even the ghost of the woman he loved in an other life. She knew everything he was and died because of it. But in order to make them "make out" the author writes this ghost as awfully chatty. And I'm sorry but I can't see the reasons why. I understand she wants him to go on living, but betraying him to an unknown doesn't seem the way to go. (hide spoiler)]
With the exception of these very personal peeves, I enjoyed Charming and will be reading the next book and see how John will resolve his life.
I found difficult to write this review, for I do believe this is a very promising author who simply could not "push my buttons".
The Darkness of ShadoI found difficult to write this review, for I do believe this is a very promising author who simply could not "push my buttons".
The Darkness of Shadows is a Urban Fantasy with a touch of mystery, as often is the case. The idea behind is pretty cool, there's a hidden world of magic just round the corner, and a touch of Others (here only hinted, not really present). The leading characters are two "blood sisters", two girls that started a friendship since they were 11 yo and are as close as real sister (more so, when you learn about Tina).
Nathalie has an abusive and way-beyond-awful past, and Val is the friend who knows all (and the only one who does) and is always there to protect her. It's absolutely wonderful to see such a female bond in a setting where's not that common.
In this story Nathalie has to face her past and her father, protecting the only family she has in the meantime.
I had two problems with this book, namely pace and characters. This is not a story for adrenaline junkies. Unfortunately I'm not one, but I still struggled with the pace. The plot moves forward pretty slowly, as slow as the "crippled" heroine.
I loved the idea of a different heroine, she's so unusual to be really refreshing. Unfortunately I realized I might be prejudiced. Because at the end of the story I still want a kick ass woman as a leading lady. I don't need her to be Other, wonder woman or physically normal. But I do expect someone who has mastered her fears and survived. For most of the book I didn't get this vibe from Nat. I got the idea she survived because they let her. Otherwise she's just drifting along. Not my idea of and heroine.
On the same note, the book has plenty of side characters, all of them interesting, not all of them rounded, notably the villains. Honestly, they seemed very much the mustache-twirling stereotype. The one you see and say "haha, here's the bad guy". I prefer subtlety and motive with my crimes. Both the father and the sister were over the top for me. Compare the father with Kindling the Moon by Jenn Bennett and you'll get my meaning.
World-building. There's not much of it, but it almost makes sense. The leading characters don't know anything of the world they are facing and so we are not in the know either.
(view spoiler)[ There was quite a big hole in it for me. Nowhere was said or hinted that Others are immortal. We are actually told that even vamps are not immortal. But then neither Walter nor William die, even if they were skewered or beaten repeatedly on the head with poke. Or knifed. Walter is a healer, but dying he couldn't have done much for himself or William. I found this bothered me a lot. (hide spoiler)]
After reading the blurb for this book, I was glad it was available to all who asked: It sounded interesting, gripping and dark. From the backcover I eAfter reading the blurb for this book, I was glad it was available to all who asked: It sounded interesting, gripping and dark. From the backcover I expected In his Command to be an exciting dystopian/futurist romance. Well, it is futuristic and it is a romance. My problem was that the second way overcome the first.
At half the book, where I DNF'ed pretty bored, I had read a great beginning (that banged) and then and chapters after chapters of boring nothingness. The only point seemed sex (hot sex, but still..). Given the baggage both men have, and the mistrust, I would have appreciated restraint more.
As I said I expected something different than a futuristic harlequin "cabin fever" romance. Because this was the main problem for me: the half story I read was all focused on the two heroes. You barely get out of it. There are a scattering of people of the beginning and then again at midpoint but they are background noise. Nothing more. All is centered on the romance and the sex.
Nothing wrong in it. But it's not what I was looking for. All that made the blurb interesting was notably absent in the first 50%. I did try to keep reading, but when one of the heroes runs and the other follows (so to stop the soldiers from finding them) I simply stopped caring. Because rather than the outside threats and the fact that one of them is probably lying the focus was once again on sex. You do wonder how the Commander survived in this fascist world if he can't compartmentalize his sex life.
I may come back to it, if only to know if there's betrayal, but at the moment I'm too bored to care.
After reading part II of Book 1, I think I might understand why Disenchanted &Co is split in two. His Lordship Possessed denies what we learned i3 1\2
After reading part II of Book 1, I think I might understand why Disenchanted &Co is split in two. His Lordship Possessed denies what we learned in part one. I felt that Her Ladyship's Curse was stronger than this, as it stayed within the victoriana (almost steampunk) setting, while this second half veers off sharply into magic and mysticism and so lost the grounding it set before.
But it's not only he world-building that veers strongly (toward urban/rustic fantasy): Kit becomes a girl in love (*shudders*) for a short time, there's time travels and mystical being and chaos and mayhem.
Middle way I wasn't sure where this was going (well, except Granpa who was so not a mystery) and I wasn't sure I really liked this new way. But then everything went back to normal, I understood this was all a big setting for the future books and everyone lived happy ever after (not...) < grin >.
Leaving sarcasm aside, I did find the middle of this book a bit problematic, the world-building, the characterization and the plot really seemed to me were going astray. The final "wipe down" was a plot device I'm not in love with. But I honestly admit that it hooked me into looking for the next book in the series. Because now I know. (And you will understand my meaning after you read it.)
This is an erotic novella in a PNR skin. The story had potential, but it wasted it in a sexfest. I don't want to imply that Dead Sexy Dragon is any waThis is an erotic novella in a PNR skin. The story had potential, but it wasted it in a sexfest. I don't want to imply that Dead Sexy Dragon is any way bad. You simply have to go in knowing the story is really thin.
There would be much more to say in it (and that bit you find is interesting). Unfortunately you don't really have time to appreciate the background (Knights of Saint George vs actual dragons), which is only hinted at anyway.
The sexfest mars characters too. At the beginning of the story the leading lady is literally running for her life. She asks her brother's best friend for help. Then the same night (after the first sex scene in a dream) she forgets everything and wonder whether she has to sex up to seduce him and the morning after she perks up at the idea of a secret. Not exactly the idea of a woman in the hands of the mob, running from the law and the crime syndicate.
I'm not sure whether this novella is a prequel or the first in a series (in the first case the next book is a novel, in the second one an other novella). I fear that in any case it'll follow a well known trope in the genre: supernatural group of warriors and the human women (with that something extra) who love them. And yes a compound...(care to name the game?).
When I realized Tor had accepted my request for Elysian Fields, I feared I was hallucinating.
Sentinels of New Orleans is a series that grabbed me sinWhen I realized Tor had accepted my request for Elysian Fields, I feared I was hallucinating.
Sentinels of New Orleans is a series that grabbed me since the beginning, and I have to thank Forbidden Planet in London for it. You can guess I was more than happy to be granted a copy. :)
The book is strongly linked with the previous one and you'll probably need to get the first two in series if you want to enjoy it fully, to understand the reasons behind some of the characters' choices or behaviour.
The plot starts when River Road ended. We find the heroine battered and tired from the upheavals and deaths in her life. Unfortunately, life isn't going to be any better. The mystery about the Axeman drives the never-stopping race that this book is, but everything is made more complex and difficult by politics, both Elven and Elders. At the end you're not sure of anything and anyone.
DJ is compelled to make some difficult choices, and you're not going to like some of them. (On the other side, you'll probably love at least one of them :P)
I do admit that the authorial hand was at times a bit too heavy for my tastes (namely at the beginning, the scratch scene, at the middle, the Rand scene after Elf time, and the resolution of the mystery. This three moments took me out of the story making me wonder the whys of them). I felt some passages were a little contrived, ie. I never understood why she let Rand go without reprisal, why he's still there in her house after all he's done. Of course she felt she had no choice and had to accept his offer (you might agree with her or not). But why she couldn't literally throw him out was the real mystery to me. Yes, she's tired and almost defeated at times. But what he caused (view spoiler)[mental rape with death as a possible consequence. And let's not forget what he is doing to Eugenie (hide spoiler)] can't be easily put apart.
As I said politics is a leading character in this story and it makes a very unpleasant bedfellow. Personally I found myself confused at the sudden necessity to make DJ such a unique lady. (view spoiler)[All of a sudden everyone becomes her enemy: elves, vampire, some of the wizards. And to what points of evil this enmity drives them. They set free a serial killer... At the end I was left with a bewildering face and a question: why? Why go to such length? Meh. Politics < grin > (hide spoiler)] On the other side, DJ is a lovely heroine: strong without being over the top, snarky,but so incredibly human. And all the supporting characters are good too, even Alex who in a couple of scenes does remind me of Anita's Richard (shudders) Luckily he never goes that way.
What makes this series stand apart is world-building. Not only the idea is incredibly clever, it's very well thought. You can't catch a hole with a magnifying lens. It's quite difficult not to fall for this New Orleans and her portal to the Beyond(s).
Elysian Fields has a final wrap-up to the mystery, but do not believe for a moment you won't be left hanging anyway. So much happened that you can't avoid to wonder what such choices and happenings will cause in the future...
Fourth and final installment of Nikki and Michael (but the series has a spin off in the Damask Circle), Kiss the Night Goodbye follows the the main coFourth and final installment of Nikki and Michael (but the series has a spin off in the Damask Circle), Kiss the Night Goodbye follows the the main couple into their first mission together. Well, kind of :) Micheal gets kidnapped by the enemy foretold in book 3 and Nikki rides to the rescue. In a sense literally, as they are sent to a Western town that a sorcerer has created to recall a series a murders happened a century before.
As in all the series romance and mystery share pages in a nice blend of PNR. The plot is unfortunately very much similar to the previous three books and so does the villain. Repetition is one of the only two faults one can find in this series. The other is the lack of world-building. Here I felt it keenly. I couldn't understand some point of magic/world that I believed were important, like how did the villain knew who she was (sorry, I can't be more specific without big spoilers :). Or how their power mixed and matched (ok, this is something even the Circle wanted to know). But above all why when all magic was stopped some of theirs wasn't. (Sounded too convenient...)
Nikki and Michael's relationship is both new and old, but nothing yet defined. But then they have been barely together. I'm sorry I will not be able to see them again after their life/romance had time to settle.
3 1\2 A Study in Silks has many readers as its intended target: -Fans of Sherlock Holmes will appreciate the many hints to the classic works of Conan Do3 1\2 A Study in Silks has many readers as its intended target: -Fans of Sherlock Holmes will appreciate the many hints to the classic works of Conan Doyle (starting from the title) and his cameos -Fans of steampunk will cheer the alternate world Ms Holloway has created. -Fans of UF will love the mix of magic and technology it entails.
The mix of steampunk and UF was well blended and created a world-building in which I was elated to sink my teeth into. You will find a historical mystery, a touch of romance, and fantasy all mixed with steampunkish elements.
Except for the pacing, a little on the slow side, I loved almost all aspects of A Study in Silks. But the world was what intrigued me most. The mob-like Steam Barons are at war with both new tech and magic, there's hint of a possible revolution against them. The gentry is undecided about where to stand. None of the characters is blameless or completely black or white, if only because so much is forbidden that it's difficult to stay on the side of the law. (Witches are still burned at the stakes or, worse, sent to labs as specimen).
The only problems I had with the story was a disorienting moment at the beginning (I'm still wondering about) and the changing Povs that take same time getting used to. But all of this is well balanced by depth of characters and plot.
Even without any cliff-ending, when I finished I was left with a strong need of getting my hands on the sequels :D
3.5 "Nikki & Michael" walks the line between UF and PNR. The main focus is always on the leading couple, but there's no denying that the external plot 3.5 "Nikki & Michael" walks the line between UF and PNR. The main focus is always on the leading couple, but there's no denying that the external plot is UF and interesting at that.
After three books the plot does seem a little bit repeated: vamp serial killer on the rampage, Nikki follows into peril, Michael gets furious. This time though it's the lady that saves the day (yeah!). This is not to say that Chasing the shadows is in any way boring. The romantic thread will avoid it :) There are a couple of very tense moments (both happy and sad). [And there are hints of future happening that will keep the readers on their toes, too :)] Above all, the story is character-driven, it's Michael and Nikki's growth that spurs the book forward. It's not the mystery in itself, which is a weaker point in my opinion. On the other side I found beautiful how the author could keep the balance between the main characters. You ping-ponged between them nodding at both, because they were both right (and wrong) and the same time.
As in previous books there's no world-building of its own. If this is good for the info-dump haters, it does also leave a minor hole into the story. (How a youngling could have taken the power of a master?)
Note to the fellow readers: be happy that the fourth book will come out just a month after this (in October 2013). Some of you will probably be ready to do anything to know what's going to happen < evil grin >
I can't deny it. Reading Sacrificed in Shadows was a shock. No, I had no doubt going in I would have loved it. But I left Elise as an incredible stronI can't deny it. Reading Sacrificed in Shadows was a shock. No, I had no doubt going in I would have loved it. But I left Elise as an incredible strong hunter so in love with her Shield that she sacrificed everything to save him. I was really sad (and angry) reading what had happened to her.
But Elise is still the great kick-ass hunter that she was and I sincerely hope that she'll stop James and makes him pay. Yep, this is the strength of the emotion this book churned in me :D
The world-building in this series is pretty complex and not easy to go down if you are a very religious guy. But then I suspect that you wouldn't be reading UF if you were. I love this level of gritty.
The plot revolves around a series of killings that may involve a werewolf. Elise has to unravel the mystery trying to stay alive at the same time. And enemies are hidden everywhere.
The Ascension series unites two previous one from S.M. Reine, but you don't need to read them to get this story. I have only read Death's Hand, the first volume in the 7-books Descent series, and All Hallows Moon, the second book in The season of the Moon one. I had no problem whatsoever. :) Not every author is able to avoid info-dumps and, at the same time, leaving the readers stranded.
I'm glad the book revolves around Elise, though. I'm not a fan of Rylie. I prefer the dark and gritty heroine to the sweet and blond one :). Always did. I'm sorry Elise was shut down by the pack, after everything she did for them. I hope the future will hold something different.
Any romance featuring Tarzan and Jane (here called Zan and Ari) must face a tough competition from plenty of books and movies. And don't forget cartooAny romance featuring Tarzan and Jane (here called Zan and Ari) must face a tough competition from plenty of books and movies. And don't forget cartoons :).
I can't fault Ms Shoup too much then if this book wasn't able to sustain my interest.
I was willing to be transported by the usual magic. Unfortunately I could not feel it.
I am character-centric and here I was totally unimpressed by the heroine. (Up to 30% of the book the hero was notably absent, except at the beginning.)
Ari is supposed to be this unconventional woman who travels the world with her uncle. But in the 30% of the book I read she is bullied constantly. She's unable to react. Oh she does say something, but when faced with it, she caves. Worse, she flattens herself. There's nothing to make us believe she's a woman worth of anything. She's totally unable to stick to a decision, if and when she does take one. At times she doesn't even seem the same person.
Zan. As I said there's not much to him at the beginning except the kidnapping. But honestly I can't understand why he's so fixated with Ari. They met, had sex, she disappeared. (view spoiler)[By the way, it's not believable that a rape, let's call it forced seduction, will all of a sudden make her happy with sex. She was married and the sex wasn't good at all. (hide spoiler)] Nothing in this makes me believe he's all for her. There's no time together when a "sympathy" could grow. And if you follow a woman on the other side of the planet, I have to believe you do have a valid reason.
The story is well-known, the characters weren't for me. There was nothing that grabbed me and kept me reading. So, at 30% when the heroine showed me again her total lack of spine, I gave up on Untamed.