Catherine's Reviews > Cronin's Key

Before reading:

N.R. Walker does vampires?! *cries* But I don't read books about vampires!

*Looks at cover suspiciously. Pokes it a little.*

But it's Walker. I adore Walker's writing.

*dramatic sigh*

Fine. Fuck it. I'll give this book a shot, but if ANYTHING sparkles, I'm out.

After reading:

*** 4.5 Stars ***

As you can see from above, this isn't a genre that I typically read. However, I was pleasantly surprised by Cronin's Key. There was so much to love about this book: a first-rate plot that felt fresh and original, the idea of fated lovers (one of whom had to wait more than a millennium for the other to be born), the chemistry and banter between Cronin and Alec once they'd met, the "history" that read like a fractured fairy tale, all of the wonderfully three-dimensional supporting characters, and the sweet Gaelic that made my knees and heart and brain pleasantly melty.

My only complaint would be that although the chemistry between the MCs was delightful, it somehow didn't feel quite intense enough for me. I know, I know! That complaint seems ridiculous given all the touching and meaningful glances and endearments and aching hearts when Cronin and Alec were parted for even a handful of seconds, but somehow... it just wasn't as raw as I was expecting a vampire-human love affair to be. In fairness to Nic, I think that my reaction to this has more to do with my expectations than with the writing (the writing was lovely).

But that ending! It totally took me by surprise and then had me squeeing with joy because it means that there's simply got to be a Cronin's Key 2 coming our way. I can't wait! But don't worry friends, the HFN is totally satisfying.

PS: Walker needs to hang on to her editor with both hands - this was one of the cleanest copies I've read in a long time and the pacing was spot on.