The Turning (Blood Ties, #1)

Sep 21, 2011 Buggy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: good-bad-guy, horrors, shelf-11, vampalicious, urb-fantasy

Opening Line: “I read a poll in the newspaper once that said the number one fear of Americans aged eighteen to sixty-five is public speaking. Spiders are second and death is a distant third.”

Wow, this was a fun. Not quite what I was expecting but as it turned out a great ride. For some reason I went into this thinking paranormal romance which is so not the case here. I would categorize Armintrout’s world as urban fantasy/horror. Its dark, violent, blood spattered and often gory and that would in...more Opening Line: “I read a poll in the newspaper once that said the number one fear of Americans aged eighteen to sixty-five is public speaking. Spiders are second and death is a distant third.”

Wow, this was a fun. Not quite what I was expecting but as it turned out a great ride. For some reason I went into this thinking paranormal romance which is so not the case here. I would categorize Armintrout’s world as urban fantasy/horror. Its dark, violent, blood spattered and often gory and that would include the sex scenes (notice I said sex and not love.) I should also mention that even though this is not my genre of choice I did really enjoy it.

BLOOD TIES is unique and let’s face it that’s saying something with all the vampire books on the shelves these days. The writing is smart, sassy and the overall plotline managed to surprise me several times along the way. Each chapter comes with a title heading, which I loved, there’s a love triangle (of sorts) and a wonderful balance of good VS Evil, made all the better because once I got to know the back-story of the characters I was sympathetic to all of them. Yes even the sadistic and maniacal Cyrus, which to me is the sign of some clever writing when you feel for the bad guy. So be warned there aren’t any sparkly vampires here and it’s a bit of a blood bath but its also super good.

Dr. Carrie Ames is working in the ER the night they bring in the horrifically injured “John Doe”. Through his one remaining eye, he seems to reach out to her, and when he succumbs to his injuries she is drawn to visit him in the morgue. Bad idea Carrie. John Doe is the evil vampire Cyrus Kerrick and Carrie’s blood is what he needs to heal himself. Through the violence of Cyrus’s feeding (attack) Carrie ingests some of his blood and the “blood tie” is forged. Over the following weeks as she recovers Carrie undergoes some major changes including a new sensitivity to sunlight and an insatiable hunger that no amount of food, drink or cigarettes will quench.

Eventually Carrie is found and rescued by Nathan Grant, a member of the “movement.” (His job is to destroy all non affiliated vampires and protect mankind.) Nathan takes Carrie in and quickly schools her in all things vamp which includes reading the Vampire bible (available on eBay FYI) He then offers her a choice; join the movement or be destroyed.

It should be an easy decision right? Especially with the growing attraction between them but Carrie can’t get past the invisible leash that binds her to the monster that sired her. She is quite literally a slave to the evil yet arousing Cyrus and he is of course #1 on the movement’s hit list and Nathan’s arch enemy. When a jealous witch vying for her sire’s attention casts a spell over Nathan the only way Carrie can save him is to give herself over to Cyrus for the cure. And that’s when the games begin. Hang onto your heart folks. Cheers 250jb4(less)

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Dec 08, 2009 Kathryn rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: urban-fantasy

First off, this is not a paranormal romance, contrary to what the cover wants you to think. This is a dark urban fantasy with many violent scenes. There is a great deal of pain, blood, and assault.

I loved the first chapter, thought it was perfect and original. I liked the main character, the secondary characters, and set up. Then the blood tie kicked in and was used for all sorts of ridiculous behavior and dialogue. I stopped liking the main character when her actions stopped making sense.

I und...more

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Mar 26, 2013 Christine_v rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: vampires

The reason I first picked this book was because it's about vampires and the heroine wasn't a 16 year old waiting for the prince charming. As she says she was 28 years old but she looked barely 21 (whatever!).

So vampire story with lots of blood, gore and a fascination with eyes. I mean the things this author did with eyes!She took them out, borrowed them, changed them, staked them and all that in detail! Jennifer what do you have against eyes?!?

Now our heroine, Carrie, is a doctor with daddy-iss...more

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Jun 09, 2011 Catherine Forbes rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: urban fantasy fans

Shelves: jennifer-armintrout, vampires, urban-fantasy

Dr Carrie Ames’ life changes dramatically when she is attacked in the hospital morgue. Thankfully found and saved in time, she undergoes her long and life threatening recovery. Her body then experiences some strange changes, such as a big increase in appetite and sensitivity to sunlight; things that can be explained medically, but Carrie knows the truth. She is a vampire and she needs help. She meets Ziggy and the ‘sex walking’ good vampire, Nathan, who educates Carrie on her new life. But soon...more Dr Carrie Ames’ life changes dramatically when she is attacked in the hospital morgue. Thankfully found and saved in time, she undergoes her long and life threatening recovery. Her body then experiences some strange changes, such as a big increase in appetite and sensitivity to sunlight; things that can be explained medically, but Carrie knows the truth. She is a vampire and she needs help. She meets Ziggy and the ‘sex walking’ good vampire, Nathan, who educates Carrie on her new life. But soon Carrie seeks out her perverse and twisted sire and discovers the blood tie that binds them. Will she be able to resist Cyrus?

And so the story begins of Carrie's vampirehood. Vampires in Armintrouts world just don't grow fangs when they're hungry or angry. No. Their whole face changes into something ugly. A snout, even. I liked this as it's going back to the 'monster' feel, where vampires aren't supposed to be beautiful or... sparkly.

But oh dear, oh dear. Some of this book made me cringe. Literally cringe. But I’ll get to that in a moment.

This book was definitely entertaining, stupid heroine aside. I didn’t find myself bored at any time, as I found it had a good pace. Some things happened and I found myself saying ‘WHAT?’ in surprise. I like that in a book. I like books being unpredictable and the excitement that comes with that. A lot of books you just know what will happen and reading it then becomes a chore. And I’ve always hated chores.

I don’t know if I like Carrie. She’s not one of those characters I fell in love with instantly... or at all. I disliked her from the very start of the book, right where she mentioned she despises people who show fear. I understand she was brought up to see fear as a weakness, because of her father, but using the word ‘despise’ really crumbled any hope of liking her easily. If I stated the same thing, then there wouldn’t be anyone to like, because everyone shows fear. A bit naive of her, if you ask me. I wouldn't have cared if she died. I actually wanted her too at times. I know it sounds mean of me, but I just didn't care about her. I am willing to give her a chance, though.

I liked Nathan and Ziggy. I liked their relationship. Nathan holds so much inside that I actually wanted to hug him at times. Also, he was the one hot male for me in this book, as Cyrus didtn’t do it for me at all. Cyrus was a good character, twisted and manipulative, as well as tortured and yearning to be loved. He also gave the book a slight punch, with his perverse and disturbing antics. Dahlia I had mixed feelings for, but I found I liked her. She was crazy, yes, but she loved a man that didn’t love her and simply used her. That was make anyone crazy.

Now to the cringe part. I know Carrie was affected by the blood tie and I know what it made her feel, but her willingly having sex with a child molester and enjoying it... well, the scenes weren’t as enjoyable as I usually find with hot interactions. She actually admitted she wanted him despite the tie and at the end, cared for him and felt sorry for him. I mean... what? I'm sorry, but would you desire someone who has sex, even rapes, teenage boys and girls? I don't think so. Would you mourn for them? Hell no. Let 'em burn in hell.

In the end, I didn't think Carrie deserved Nathan. Her mouth often spilled out hurtful things that Nate definitely didn't deserve!

I will continue reading this series, as I don’t give up on series’ easily.

© Catherine Forbes 2011(less)

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Mar 26, 2008 Terra rated it 5 of 5 stars

Blood Ties book one: The Turning by Jennifer Armintrout is such a breath of fresh air. Not the typical vampire romance that I'm used to reading and one I'm glad I didn't pass by.

Dr. Carrie Ames is a doctor that shouldn't be. Squeemish, insecure with low self esteem, she is the perfect candidate for this good vs. evil vampire must read. Easily controlled even though she really doesn't want to be, curious as a cat with nine lives you can see why she is the most ripe cherry for this battle.

Nathan i...more

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Aug 25, 2012 Leonor (Ner) rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, gifts, read-in-pt, 2012-reading-challenge, read-a-thon, horror, paranormal, vampires, witches-wizards, review, love-triangle, romance

Also published in "A Cup of Coffee and a Book"

I still don't know what to make of this book. I liked it but there's something about in it that makes me doubt myself. I'll say it was the translation since I've read the Portuguese edition.

First things first, this book should be rated NC-17 (no one under 17 allowed to read it). It was way too sexy and me, being 23 years old, felt myself blushing a lot in the sex scenes... My reaction to those scenes:

This book caught me by surprise. It was given to m...more

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Nov 24, 2011 Sita Sargeant rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: love-triangle, favourites, nl, paranormal, own, romance, reviewed

You know what I just noticed? The price difference, books in Australia (at let's say Dymocks) around $20 each for a paper back, books in India around 300 rupees each (that is around 6 Australian dollars). Unfair right? Oh well, so because they are so much cheaper I am stocking up on books over here. So far I have around 30 books and counting, and boy am I moving through them fast. I finished The Turning in around one night (and a morning, but that doesn't count I started the book at around 10pm)...more You know what I just noticed? The price difference, books in Australia (at let's say Dymocks) around $20 each for a paper back, books in India around 300 rupees each (that is around 6 Australian dollars). Unfair right? Oh well, so because they are so much cheaper I am stocking up on books over here. So far I have around 30 books and counting, and boy am I moving through them fast. I finished The Turning in around one night (and a morning, but that doesn't count I started the book at around 10pm) and I finished the book in practically a day and now I am really regretting not buying the rest of the series on the spot. Yes! It was that good. SO now in hope to quench my thirst for the next book I will write an amazing review (they are normally really hard to write, just so you know).

Okay...so onto my (actual, no more blabbering) review.The book was about Carrie, she was a surgeon, and I felt some connection with her (must be the late night episodes of Greys Anatomy), and I loved the first chapter, thought it was completely original, even the first sentence is pretty cool, but the last sentence is even cooler (get back on track Sita!), okay so we've already established that the book is about Carrie, well this is basically Carrie's journey, it's an introduction into the world of the vampires (I liked the twist the author gave them) and her growing feelings for the two men in her life, one is the man/vampire who turned her into a vampire (by mistake) and the other man/vampire saved her life.

Oh yeah, this was on the front cover of the book I read.

Avoid sunlight. Drink blood.
Hate yourself. Forever.
Welcome to immortality.

Cool right?

It's interesting to see how her feelings develop and I liked reading about the different sort of world, it was pretty unique and I actually liked most of the characters (especially Max, I look forward to seeing him again). And the writing was actually pretty good, there were some great fight scenes and the scene where she realised what she wanted out of life. Priceless.

Overall, this was a really good book and it has left me fully thirsting for the next one. I am still trying to decide whether this is a paranormal romance or not. What the heck? I thought it had tonnes of romance. SO I recommend this to PNR lovers and people who generally like vampire books that are different, but not to different. If you know what I mean.(less)

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Dec 24, 2012 Book Chick City rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: urban-fantasy, book-list-2010

The Turning' is the first book in the 'Blood Ties' series by Jennifer Armintrout. It's a solid start to a series if a little uneven. It also doesn't really sit within the urban fantasy genre or the paranormal romance genre but somewhere in between in my opinion. Although there are a few gruesome scenes that may be too explicit for PNR fans, especially if they are just after a romance and nothing else.

Carrie Ames is a doctor working in a hospital when a John Doe is pushed through the hospital doo...more The Turning' is the first book in the 'Blood Ties' series by Jennifer Armintrout. It's a solid start to a series if a little uneven. It also doesn't really sit within the urban fantasy genre or the paranormal romance genre but somewhere in between in my opinion. Although there are a few gruesome scenes that may be too explicit for PNR fans, especially if they are just after a romance and nothing else.

Carrie Ames is a doctor working in a hospital when a John Doe is pushed through the hospital doors brutally beaten, body mangled and at the point of death. Carrie finds it a difficult case to work on and discovers, to her embarrassment that she just can't deal with it and runs from the ER. Unfortunately, the guy dies and so later in her shift Carrie decides to confront her fears and view the body. Unfortunately, she meets something far worse than a dead body down in the morgue and her life is changed forever.

The hero of the story is a vampire called Nathan who is a very likeable character. He's the 'good' guy and helps Carrie come to terms with her new life. There's also the vampire, Cyrus, the anti-hero who is quite a disturbing character. He's the vampire who 'changed' Carrie and who enjoys killing, torturing and raping fifteen year old girls. It's Carrie's interactions with this particular character which prevented me from connecting with her, as I really didn't understand her attraction towards such a despicable man/vampire.

Because of the 'blood tie', Carrie finds herself drawn to Cyrus physically and if it was just the 'blood tie' I could have let it slide. But unfortunately it wasn't. Carrie was attracted to him even without the blood tie and when seeing visions of him raping a young girl it was hard for me to understand her attraction. Cyrus was just downright disgusting.

Nathan on the other hand is a true hero. Someone who sticks to the rules, who cares and wants to help, but who is also strong, handsome with a hot body to boot. Of course Carrie is attracted to Nathan as well as Cyrus, but I could understand why. The sex scenes are fairly explicit but not overly so, unfortunately there was no love involved with either Nathan or Cyrus.

VERDICT:

I found 'The Turning' to be a very easy book to get into and the pace steady, which kept me turning the pages with ease. It has a fairly exciting plot with characters that are vivid and interesting. I did find Carrie to be a little irritating at times as her thoughts chopped and changed constantly, which made it difficult to connect with her. However, I enjoyed it enough that I will definitely continue the series and fortunately have book two already at hand.(less)

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Sep 20, 2010 Fábio Ventura rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Desde o sucesso da saga Twilight de Stephenie Meyer que a Gailivro tem vindo a apostar cada vez mais nos vampiros. “A Iniciação”, o primeiro volume da trilogia Laços de Sangue, da autoria da americana Jennifer Armintrout, é a sua mais recente aposta.
Carrie Ames é uma médica que recentemente se mudou para o Michigan para trabalhar no Serviço de Urgência de um hospital. Certa noite, é atacada na morgue por um vampiro, supostamente um doente falecido há minutos atrás. Enquanto se debate com a inco...more Desde o sucesso da saga Twilight de Stephenie Meyer que a Gailivro tem vindo a apostar cada vez mais nos vampiros. “A Iniciação”, o primeiro volume da trilogia Laços de Sangue, da autoria da americana Jennifer Armintrout, é a sua mais recente aposta.
Carrie Ames é uma médica que recentemente se mudou para o Michigan para trabalhar no Serviço de Urgência de um hospital. Certa noite, é atacada na morgue por um vampiro, supostamente um doente falecido há minutos atrás. Enquanto se debate com a inconcebível ideia de que se transformou numa vampira e toda a sua vida ficou para trás, vê-se envolvida numa guerra entre duas facções de vampiros: a do seu criador, com quem tem um forte laço de sangue, e a do inimigo dele, por quem ela cria uma afinidade especial.
Ora aqui está uma bela surpresa. Numa altura em que as histórias de vampiros começam a saturar um pouco, “A Iniciação” surpreende e oferece uma história envolvente e cativante que supera alguns dos clichés associados a estes seres sobrenaturais.
Escrito na 1ª pessoa pela voz da Dra. Carrie Ames, o leitor cria desde o início uma grande ligação com ela. Acaba por ser um dos pontos mais fortes da obra, a poderosa protagonista que, apesar de transformada em vampira, concentra em si uma humanidade e um realismo deliciosos, pautados por um humor inteligente e uma maturidade há muito exigida neste género. E se Carrie é uma protagonista marcante, as personagens secundárias não lhe ficam atrás, cada uma delas bastante peculiar e com um humor muito próprio. Destaco por exemplo o vampiro Nathan ou a bruxa Dhalia.
Outro elemento bastante interessante da obra é a quantidade de referências culturais que encontramos um pouco por todo o lado. Referências ao mundo do entretenimento, a obras literárias, etc., tornam a leitura muito mais rica e complexa. Em adição, a autora não se inibe de fazer descrições mais sangrentas ou sexuais, tornando “A Iniciação” num livro mais maduro e realista.
Porém, “A Iniciação” não se livra de alguns clichés associados aos vampiros, fazendo com que quem está habituado a este género se sinta um pouco frustrado se procura algo novo. Jennifer Armintrout admite que se inspirou em Anne Rice e L.C. Smith e isso é visível especialmente na imagem de Cyrus (o criador de Carrie) e no mundo vampírico que o rodeia.
“A Iniciação” é daquele tipo de livros que chega sorrateiramente, sem grande alarido e que surpreende ao apresentar uma história viciante com personagens realistas e marcantes. Dirigido a um público mais maduro, certamente vai agradar aos fãs de histórias de vampiros e não só. Uma das pequenas grandes surpresas do ano na fantasia urbana publicada em Portugal. A minha sede pelos volumes seguintes é muito grande!

(Crítica publicada no blog Bela Lugosi is Dead)(less)

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Aug 20, 2008 Kristina rated it 1 of 5 stars Recommends it for: No one at all, especially those who appreciate a good read

Shelves: series, paranormal, vampires, audiobook, 2008

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jan 14, 2009 Barbara M. rated it 4 of 5 stars

"The Turning" has everything a great book should have; action, undeniable chemistry between characters, anticipation and vibrant with just enough description of what (or who)their doing =) It really mirrored Karen Marie Monings "Fever" series a whole lot for me. From everything from the book shop to the witchcraft and the mystery of the male characters. I do know that most novels favor each other, but I personally can't wait to see who's "take" on this story turns out a better read in the end.

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Jan 22, 2011 Nicola rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: library-books, still-reading-series, young-adult, vampires

This book took me by surprise. I expected it to be like all the other YA vampire books I've read, but it was very different- a lot more mature. It was very dark at places, and the plot was quite heavy. I really enjoyed it though, and I really felt like I could identify with the main character. It was definitely hard to keep up with the emotions of the characters, but I got used to it. I loved the story, and the characters. I'm just not really sure how it's going to be dragged out for another thr...more

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Dec 29, 2007 Kelly rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2007, series, paranormal, romance

This is no sweet, humorous vampire romance. Violence abounds from the first pages to the end. The story is unique for the approach to vampires, the changes in their bodies, and the link between sire and fledglings. And the idea that vampires would work to eradicate the "bad" vampires is not new, but that the Movement would strive to destroy all of the vampires was a shock.
Carrie's new nature is hard to resist and with the additional pull of her sire it is almost impossible to control herself. On...more

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Jul 08, 2008 Gypsie Holley rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is completely different from what I am used to reading. I wasn't sure the first few chapters if I wanted to continue but it sucked me in. Deliciously disturbing so I must be sick in the head. A truly dark look into the not so good side of being a vampire. Violence, gore, blood and torture and teen rape. This is not a "romance" like bonding or mating that is generally read. I appreciate the change and it is very well written.

Best quote from book:

"Every moment I spent with him faded my anger...more

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Jun 13, 2013 Books After Dark with Romancia rated it 3 of 5 stars

Okay originally I rated this book apparently a 1star. Usually that is rare. I met a few books that horrible. I've got two shelf that most book won't like to visit but if they will it's in the shelf "Worth A Shot" that's before it get's in the "Save A Tree" shelf...

One of the things I've always found hard to do was read a book in a third person. It's very hard for me to imagine the characters as they should when I'm busy seeing them as me.

Holy Sh!t - Reading the Turning is a slooow read. Infact,...more

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Dec 17, 2012 Fangs for the Fantasy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Dr. Carrie Ames is a new doctor, overworked but driven, skilled and determined. Right until a John Doe arrives in her emergency room who simply shouldn’t be alive. He doesn’t last long but he shakes her to the core – enough for her to go check on his body in the morgue. Only to find that body healed, up, moving around and with great big fangs.

Convalescing from the attack takes weeks – but in those weeks she notices some major changes and is eventually faced with the impossible: she’s a vampire....more Dr. Carrie Ames is a new doctor, overworked but driven, skilled and determined. Right until a John Doe arrives in her emergency room who simply shouldn’t be alive. He doesn’t last long but he shakes her to the core – enough for her to go check on his body in the morgue. Only to find that body healed, up, moving around and with great big fangs.

Convalescing from the attack takes weeks – but in those weeks she notices some major changes and is eventually faced with the impossible: she’s a vampire. Blood drinking, sunlight dodging, the whole thing. And Nathan, a member of the Voluntary Vampire Extinction Movement, is her best and only source for information on her new condition.

Unless she goes to her sire. Her brutal, abusive, violent sire who preys on children, slaughters humans and rapes any under his control. A sire who is desperate for a companion – and a sire she is bound to by blood.

Looking at the cover, I was very pleasantly surprised by a lot in this book. There was relatively little focus on sex, even relatively little on lust. There’s instant attraction but that’s not allowed to overwhelm everything else nor does it force two people into instant love and undying declarations of affection and love. It’s clear Nathan and Carrie are heading that way – but it’s not going to be quick, it’s not going to be easy, and no amount of super-horny fumblings are going to replace the misgivings both have about the other nor is it going to drop them on the happy-ever-after train.

In fact, I would say their interaction with each other is less “romantic” and more “exploratory”. There is definite physical attraction that builds into more – but the focus is far more on Carrie trying to live with her new state, trying to deal with the feelings of the sire bond and just trying to decide what to do with her life. And yes, part of it is deciding where Nathan fits in – is he a friend to trust? A love interest? A threat bringing ultimatums from the Voluntary Vampire Extinction Movement? Is he trying to control her? Manipulate her? Finding a ground-state for co-existence with Nathan as well as escaping her sire’s attentions feature much much higher than getting into Nathan’s pants.

The same applies on Nathan’s side – we have far more of his worry over what to do with Carrie, his trying to get her into the VVEM, his targeting of Cyrus, his past with his wife, whether Carrie is under Cyrus’s control – all of these take greater precedence than having sex with Carrie. Yes, he’s attracted to her, yes they’re heading that way but he even outright says he doesn’t love her and works more towards fitting her into her new existence and his life.

In short, we don’t cross eyes over a crowded room then take the express train to humpa-ville. We actually have a story.

Read More (less)

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May 14, 2012 Gloria Mundi rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: dnf, urban-fantasy, vamps, witches-and-wizards, wtf, unhealthy-relationships, ginormous-disappointment, series-abandoned

Ugh. Cutting my losses on this one. I read to about half way and flicked through the rest but it doesn't seem to get any better. None of it makes sense. The heroine is a hospital doctor who gets turned into a vampire and one of the first things she gets told to do and does in pretty short order is quit her job. Because people will start noticing that she doesn't age. Ummmm, yeah, but probably not for at least another 10 years or so. She's only 28, FFS. And wouldn't it make sense for her to stay...more

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Apr 13, 2012 Liz rated it 5 of 5 stars

Loved this book!! Carrie is a great heroine! Nathan is a great hero (the tragic type!). I really enjoyed the way that the author created her vampire world. Y'know, the vampire rules, etc. This was a great intro to the series. The bad guy, Cyrus, is a really great bad guy. In fact, I was rooting for Cyrus more than I was rooting for Nathan! Great love scenes: just naughty enough. Great writing: I hated the bad guys and loved the good guys. I think I was biting my nails until the end!! I've read a...more Loved this book!! Carrie is a great heroine! Nathan is a great hero (the tragic type!). I really enjoyed the way that the author created her vampire world. Y'know, the vampire rules, etc. This was a great intro to the series. The bad guy, Cyrus, is a really great bad guy. In fact, I was rooting for Cyrus more than I was rooting for Nathan! Great love scenes: just naughty enough. Great writing: I hated the bad guys and loved the good guys. I think I was biting my nails until the end!! I've read and re-read it like 5 times. If you like vampires, romance and good sex... this is a book you need to read!! I don't know what else to say without ruining things? I guess I'll give a brief overview of the book? Carrie is a doctor. Well, maybe a med student in the last year/few months of her residency. She works in the Emergency Room. She's working on the night a John Doe is brought in and she's never seen the human body sustain so much damage. For some reason, she loses her sh*t and barfs or passes out or something. Her mentor/head doctor dude is overly disappointed in her and it shakes her confidence. So with that and her confidence already suffering from her not being able to handle the sight of John Doe, she decides that the best idea is for her to go down to the morgue (John Doe died in the ER) and confront her fears by looking at John Doe to see why she couldn't handle it. She goes down and of course, John Doe is a vampire and on accident, he gets blood in her mouth and he slits her throat and drinks her blood (he needs to heal). She survives and so begins the story of how Carrie realizes that she's a vampire, etc. She meets Nathan after following a web post to show up at an address which ends up being a New Age Shop. Calamity ensues and Carrie ends up staying with Nathan (I just skipped about 3 chapters there). She's drawn to her sire, Cyrus, but must choose between Cyrus and Nathan. Period. To learn more, read the book! Its an amazing and logical story and is very modern in the telling. I can't say enough good stuff about this book!!! Well, I guess I can since this is the end of my review! I really hope this made SOME sort of sense!! (less)

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Mar 25, 2012 Bluefly rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Questo romanzo mi è sembrato molto più intrigante di altri paranormal romance, ma forse andrebbe classificato come urban fantasy. Infatti il punto centrale del libro non mi pare la storia d’amore (o le storie...) quanto la ricerca di se stessa da parte della protagonista, Carrie. Che non è una supereroina, né una “Bella” in cerca di un salvatore. E non è nemmeno un personaggio completamente positivo, una buona bidimensionale. Trasformata in vampiro suo malgrado, prima di decidere se stare dalla...more Questo romanzo mi è sembrato molto più intrigante di altri paranormal romance, ma forse andrebbe classificato come urban fantasy. Infatti il punto centrale del libro non mi pare la storia d’amore (o le storie...) quanto la ricerca di se stessa da parte della protagonista, Carrie. Che non è una supereroina, né una “Bella” in cerca di un salvatore. E non è nemmeno un personaggio completamente positivo, una buona bidimensionale. Trasformata in vampiro suo malgrado, prima di decidere se stare dalla parte del Movimento (i vampiri “buoni”), vuole comprendere la sua natura, sceglie di sapere e di provare, e va dal suo Sire, colui che l’ha creata. Qui comincia un altalenarsi di sensazioni e di indecisioni secondo me molto interessante, che riportano l’essere vampiro a una realtà più cruda e più ambigua. Carrie è attratta da Nathan, membro del Movimento, ma lo è anche del suo creatore, Cyrus. I due sono diversi come il giorno e la notte e rappresentano un po’ i due estremi della scelta che si presenta a Carrie: entrare nel Movimento e dedicarsi anima e corpo allo sterminio dei vampiri che non ne fanno parte, con uno spirito che a Carrie sa molto di fanatismo e di cui diffida, oppure lasciarsi andare alla parte più predatoria della sua nuova natura, e stare con Cyrus, bello e dannato, ma anche capriccioso, ferito, imprevedibile e sicuramente crudele. Ma Carrie come essere umano era una donna tutto sommato sola, che ha scelto di fare il medico e non ha ancora capito perchè, che non crede granché nell’amore o pensa di non crederci e nella sua nuova identità di vampiro porta con sé tutte queste domande, a cui però deve trovare una risposta, perché il suo nuovo mondo impone di schierarsi. Perché Carrie si sente così attratta da Cyrus? Non è solo per il legame di sangue. Forse, si domanda, la sua tempra morale non è sufficientemente salda per farle provare orrore verso un assassino, che potrebbe essere tale per cause di forza maggiore, o forse lo era anche da uomo. E il movimento è davvero un’alternativa al male? Oppure è solo una setta di fanatici? Forse non è un romanzo da cinque stelline, di quelli insomma che tolgono il fiato, ma amo il coraggio e la Armintrout mi sembra lo abbia dimostrato mischiando un po’ il bianco e il nero, presentando il fascino inquietante, e per alcuni disturbante, dell’ambiguità, di cui a mio parere i vampiri sono sin dalle origini simboli “immortali”. ”(less)

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Aug 22, 2011 Angie rated it 4 of 5 stars

3,5

Encore un livre gravement desservi par sa couv! Le début parait léger et pas très sérieux de prime abord, mais cette impression disparait facilement. Nathan ressemble beaucoup à Barrons et dirige même une librairie, mais est beaucoup moins con.
Je m'attendais à un énième livre moyen de bit lit avec une héroïne soit complétement gourde, soit insupportablement trop arrogante, or Carrie est beaucoup plus intéressante que ça.

J'ai grandement apprécié que l'auteure ne se soit pas laissée tenter par...more

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Feb 05, 2011 Starry rated it 5 of 5 stars

Armintrout's bold debut, the first book in a violent vampire series, bares its fangs early, unafraid to spill blood and vital organs from its very first pages. ER resident Dr. Carrie Ames tells the story of how, after being attacked and left for dead, she eventually realizes she's been "turned." Fellow vampire Nathan Grant saves Carrie from her sire's jealous lover, only to give Carrie a life-or-death ultimatum: either pledge allegiance to the Movement, a group of humanitarian vampires dedicated...more Armintrout's bold debut, the first book in a violent vampire series, bares its fangs early, unafraid to spill blood and vital organs from its very first pages. ER resident Dr. Carrie Ames tells the story of how, after being attacked and left for dead, she eventually realizes she's been "turned." Fellow vampire Nathan Grant saves Carrie from her sire's jealous lover, only to give Carrie a life-or-death ultimatum: either pledge allegiance to the Movement, a group of humanitarian vampires dedicated to the eradication of their own race, or perish for their cause. Feisty, independent Carrie would like to make up her own mind, but an invisible "blood tie" to Cyrus Kerrick, her evil sire, leaves her in his thrall—she can't help lusting after his body and power. A deadly game of wits develops between Carrie and Cyrus, whose desire for companionship masks his plot for world domination. Carrie, Cyrus and Nathan are all well drawn, as is the love triangle that develops among them.

MY SUMMARY: So in the beggining carrie trys to prove herself to be a "good" doctor..but that didnt turn out so great. Turns out, while she was looking for a guy name John Doe(i think) to fix his dead body,he came out and attacked her but she uses a glass to stab him. His blood then went on her and now she is somehow his sire/blood mate. She tries to find out more info about vampires so she went online and then a email told her to meet that person at a place. when she arrives, a guy tries to kill her and thats how she meant ziggy. Nathan come in on time to stop ziggy from hurting carrie and turns out, nathans a vampire too!Well, so shes now staying in his apartment and the journey leads on to adventure,action,and a whole lot of bad ass.....later on she tries to save nathan because Dahtilia(i think), the witch, put some kind of spell that knocked him out while kissing carrie. Cyrus(John Doe's real name official name/real name) said that carrie has to trade in her life and live with cyrus in order to save nathan. so she agrees and leaves nathans to go to cyrus.Shes trapped in there and somehow, ziggy comes later on to cyrus house beacause nathan kicked him out and carries like"wtf"...so at the end nathan and carrie tried to get ziggy to escape but too bad cyrus hurt him already and nathan had no choice but to leave ziggy laying on the ground, and save his own life.carrie and nathan esxapes but cyrus catches carrie later on at a grave(i think) and rips out her heart.Luckily, nathan comes on time to save her, which means he broke one of the biggest movement rules...but doesnt relise that till later. he also found out a shocking news flash...carries his's new blood mate!!! at the end carrie finds cyrus and tricks him to trust her again..and bam!! kills cyrus!:OO thun thun thun..what will happen next?!?!?!(less)

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Jan 14, 2011 Jessica (Taking It One Book at a Time) rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Everyone

Recommended to Jessica by: Bookstore owner

Shelves: favorites

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Losing her parents was the hardest thing that Dr. Carries Ames ever had to go through in her life....that was until her life ended altogether.

Facing her fear was all she was trying to do when she decided to follow John Doe down to the morgue. Running into, and being attack, be a hideous monster was not what she expected to find.

Spending nearly a month in the hospital can really takes it's toll on someone, and boy does Carrie think that it's taken a toll on her, because now she's starting to be...more Losing her parents was the hardest thing that Dr. Carries Ames ever had to go through in her life....that was until her life ended altogether.

Facing her fear was all she was trying to do when she decided to follow John Doe down to the morgue. Running into, and being attack, be a hideous monster was not what she expected to find.

Spending nearly a month in the hospital can really takes it's toll on someone, and boy does Carrie think that it's taken a toll on her, because now she's starting to believe she's a vampire. Real life, can't go out in the sun, have to drink blood, vampire. Looking for some help & answers, Carrie hits the Internet in search for them. After many 'You're crazy and need help' replies, she finally gets a lead. Leading her to a local book store she gets more then she wanted, and by more I mean being almost decapitated upon entry. Luckily, she does meet Nathan Grant. A vampire himself, he tries to take Carrie under his wing and help her understand the "rules" of their kind. Giving her the decision to either join the Movement, which is an organization that gets rid of new & evil vampires, or being put in the category of "new & evil vampires" that would quickly put her on their hit list. Though Carrie doesn't know what she's going to do she does feel a longing within her, Nathan quickly explains that it's the blood tie she feels to her sire, the one who made her.

Unable to deny these feelings and emotions inside her, she must now choose between the man who made her, though evil and manipulative, and the caring man who is teaching her about their world.

--Literally just finished this book minutes ago and hands down LOVED it! One of the best books that I've read in a long time. Anyone who can take a fantasy world that we all know ( i.e. vampires, weres, Fae) and put their own twist on it, creating new terms, new ways to look at them, will hold my attention. Whether it's through 1 book or 20, I admire that quality in an author so much. Anyways back to the book, Carrie is a great main character. Her ability to be so selfless, made me almost cry, and her determination was amazing. The connection that Nathan & Carrie had from the beginning was apparent, and making Nathan into the character that he is was brilliant. You can tell he cares for Carrie, but doesn't want to admit it, like most men. Then there's Cyrus. Talk about someone who could sell ice cubes to an Eskimo. His passion for gaining what he wants, not out of life, but for his possession & pets, is compelling. Though he tries to hide it, there's some vulnerability in him that almost makes you feel sorry for him. That is until he shows his true colors and makes you puke. Carrie struggles to put in check her emotions for Cyrus, but feels the blood tie is pulling her down and she can't control it. **SPOIL ALERT** By the end of the book I didn't know what would happen with Carrie & Nathan & Cyrus. Though good does conquer evil (sort of). I kind of expected Carrie & Nathan to be in this full on relationship all sweet and "I love you, no....I love you" type of deal, but that's not how it is. Though their relationship has changed, a lot, there's still that barrier between them, one that he doesn't want to come down. Made me slightly sad :( Good thing I have the next book right in front of me!

Pick up this book, and read it, you'll blow right through it and be begging for more. Promise! (less)

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Dec 30, 2010 Karissa rated it 3 of 5 stars

The book "The Turning" is the first in a series called Blood Ties. So far I believe there are 3 books in the series. I listened to this on audio book. Quit honestly the only reason I "read" it is that I saw it available on audible.com and I used one of my credits to download it.

Dr. Carrie Ames is an ER doctor. One of the trauma cases that comes into the ER effects Carrie in a strange way; the viciousness of his injuries make her literally sick. In order to confront what's seen as a weakness in t...more The book "The Turning" is the first in a series called Blood Ties. So far I believe there are 3 books in the series. I listened to this on audio book. Quit honestly the only reason I "read" it is that I saw it available on audible.com and I used one of my credits to download it.

Dr. Carrie Ames is an ER doctor. One of the trauma cases that comes into the ER effects Carrie in a strange way; the viciousness of his injuries make her literally sick. In order to confront what's seen as a weakness in the medical field, she goes to the morgue to assure herself that she can stand the site of such a vicious trauma. In the morgue she is attacked by the supposed dead trauma case and after a lengthy recovery starts to develop strange powers and weaknesses.

The book follows Dr. Ames as she tries to figure what is happening to her. She meets up with Nathan Grant who is a member of a group of vampires for the extinction of vampires; he helps her figure out how to cope with being a vampire. She struggles with the "blood tie" that draws her to her sire; the violent vampire Cyrus.

This is a mediocre book. All in all it was entertaining since I was driving and didn't have anything better to do. On a positive note there were some unique ideas. For example the blood tie is interesting. Typically vampire masters are seen as all powerful; in this book the blood tie works both ways. The blood tie leaves the master somewhat vulnerable to the fledgling vampire. This is an interesting idea. Another interesting idea is that there is a group of vampires solely dedicated to helping the extinction of their own race. I know many books follow a good vampire exterminating bad vampires and this is a variation of that but in a bigger and more organized way.

When I found out this was a harlequin book I almost didn't listen to it. I am not really into the romance genre. Surprisingly there really isn't any mushy horrible romance language in this book. In fact I would classify this book as more of a horror novel. The violence in this book is extremely graphic. Not quit as graphic as the early Laurell Hamilton Vampire Executioner novels; but very close.

Nathan and Cyrus were interesting characters. In fact most of the characters were pretty interesting excepting the most important one. I though Dr. Ames was weak as a female lead and a bit too much of a victim considering the circumstances she got herself into.

As for the quality of the audio book; it was very well read. The only thing that bothered me a bit was that the voices of Ziggy and Dahlia were too close to each other.

Will I read the next book? Probably since I already have it downloaded on audio book. Overall though I think this is another run of the mill vampire series. I am not sure if all these new vampire books are just mediocre or if I am just getting tired of the genre; but I didn't really see anything spectacular here.(less)

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Oct 10, 2010 Catherine rated it 3 of 5 stars

I’m getting a bit sick of rating books three stars, and my constant moaning and criticisms probably gives the impression that I’m a pessimistic nitpicker and there’s just no pleasing me. Which is probably true but then again I paid money to buy and read a book so I should be allowed my opinions.

I really wanted to like this book but the characters were so inconsistent with their personalities and behaviours it was hard to feel any sympathy for them. I can understand how the author was trying to...more

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Aug 12, 2010 Oracleofdoom rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Fans of Charlaine Harris

Recommended to Oracleofdoom by: The author

I read this to take a break from some of the books whose text is really tiny, because it has been contributing to my headaches. I found these really engaging and overall enjoyable.

As far as sex and violence, there is a lot in common with the Sookie Stackhouse books. But I have to say it's really refreshing to get to read a book about a new vampire, instead of yet another romance between a male vampire and a mortal female. The character was fairly strong, which I appreciate. She did wind up in o...more

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Oct 25, 2009 Melindeeloo rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: vampires, urban-fantasy

Take a 'turn' into dark fantasy, a horror story with sex, not a romance...

Don't read the Turning with the expectations that this is your typical vampire romance. There is no sweet young thing bringing light to some old undead guy's bleak existence, in fact I don't think that there is a single character in this story that even remotely qualifies as sweet. The Turning spends a great deal of time in the darker shades of gray, in both the characters and the events that are portrayed.

There is a tri...more Take a 'turn' into dark fantasy, a horror story with sex, not a romance...

Don't read the Turning with the expectations that this is your typical vampire romance. There is no sweet young thing bringing light to some old undead guy's bleak existence, in fact I don't think that there is a single character in this story that even remotely qualifies as sweet. The Turning spends a great deal of time in the darker shades of gray, in both the characters and the events that are portrayed.

There is a triangle between the main characters: 'heroine' Carrie, Cyrus and Nathan. Carrie is accidentally is turned by an evil sadistic old vampire Cyrus who doesn't hang around to show her the ropes. When she starts to suspect what she has become, Carrie searches until she finds a contact offering her information. Barely escaping death at the beginning of this meeting, she ends up in Nathan's care. Nathan is also a vampire but he is hunts the evil members of his own kind and is bound to a strict code. Nathan is haunted by a past that forces him to keep others at an emotional distance, but he is tempted by Carrie. The last player is Cyrus, Carrie's maker, who has shed all traces of his humanity and revels in his bloody power but Cyrus hides a need for love behind his cruelty.

Drawn to Cyrus by the blood bond from sire to fledgling, Carrie make a choice to leave Nathan's protection and enter Cyrus' world - initially, she rationalizes, to save Nathan. But coming from a past where she was never able to find acceptance from her parents, she sees a neediness in Cyrus under all the layers of imperious cruelty that she can relate to. The tie between Cyrus and Carrie binds both ways and he doesn't kill her for challenging him because he needs her as much as she needs him. But even so I found it difficult to think that Carrie could rationalize being in a place where she knew all kinds of evil was being perpetrated.

There are layers to the emotions and the events in the Turning. There is the pull of darkness that lingers as humanity flees. There are scars from the past. The pain of both love sought but not found and of love found and then lost. The author does a good job of exposing both Nathan's and Cyrus' pain, and does even build a sympathy for Cyrus. But Cyrus is just so bad that you really can't root for him, and it was difficult to see how Carrie could have trouble choosing between Cyrus and Nathan.

While not action packed and with no happily ever after at the end, the Turning was interesting and thought provoking enough that I will definitely be reading the sequel.

(less)

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Sep 27, 2009 Yulia Rudkov rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance, vampires, urban-fantasy, paranormal

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Oct 14, 2012 Kjoleneg rated it 4 of 5 stars

Darm you goodreads for recommending the books i'm in the mood for. I must say I have never been so mixed in loving and hating characters as much as I did with this story. I loved the bad guy and hated the good guy, then it switched, and now I'm as confused who I favor more than the other.

Thank goodness for a vampire series that way better than the TWILIGHT generic vamp crap feast! This seemed to me a real adult vampire book with gore, sex, and not so much lovey duffiness (which I can't believe...more

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May 08, 2012 Christine Rains rated it 3 of 5 stars

Carrie Ames has been a doctor for less than a year, and suddenly all her life plans are squashed when she's attacked by a vampire. She accidentally receives his blood and now finds herself one of them with a cruel sire. Her sire wants her to become a soulless killer all the while Carrie is falling for one of the good vamps. Her blood tie to her sire is powerful. Can she overcome it and free herself from his evil grasp?

There is more dark urban fantasy than paranormal romance. There's a little bit...more

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Apr 03, 2011 Cat Russell (Addicted2Heroines) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: kindle

That was the most disturbing and deformed love-triangle I have ever had the pleasure of reading about. This story was dark and twisted and you won't find any happily ever afters here.
Dr. Carrie Ames becomes one of the undead through an unfortunate incident in the morgue. When she realizes she is no longer human and is in need of answers, the brilliant doctor develops a very simplistic plan - visit an internet chat room. Her genius idea brings her to Nathan, the sexy vampire turned vampire hunte...more

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The Turning (Blood Ties #1)

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