Mona Lisa Awakening (Monère: Children of the Moon, #1)

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Mona Lisa Awakening (Monère: Children of the Moon #1)

by Sunny

3.77 · rating details · 1,487 ratings · 209 reviews

A smoldering debut novel exploring the passion, hunger, and danger that can break loose in the moonlight.

From the time she was a child, Mona Lisa knew she was different-but she never knew how different until a man of otherworldly beauty appeared during her night shift in the ER. Gryphon is hurting and hunted and he attracts her as no man ever has before. He is ...more

Paperback, 276 pages

Published September 5th 2006 by Berkley Publishing Group

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Jul 16, 2010

Laura rated it

Recommends it for: fans of romantic erotica

Recommended to Laura by: Kenjii

Shelves: romantica-erotica

Wow! I stayed away from this novel for a long time because I’d read so many conflicting reviews about it. People either loved it or hated it. Same with Sunny. Well, count me in. I’m sailing the Love Boat on this one. And sending a big thanks to Kenjii who sent it to me because she thought I would like it. You were absolutely right, girlfriend!! *big smile*

Mona Lisa grew up in an orphanage in NYC, never knowing her parents. At 21 she is a nurse in a city hospital. Her hands ...more

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Jan 19, 2009

Moderatrix Lori rated it

Shelves: read-2009, romance-paranormal

I would have given this book 3.5 starts if that were an option because while I enjoyed the book, there were a few things that bothered me about it. It was an engaging and engrossing story, I have to admit. Enough so that I read it in one night. It's obvious the author is a fan of LKH, who is one of my favorite authors so I didn't really mind the similarities. What bothered me was that right from the beginning, Lisa doesn't seem at all surprised to learn that she belongs to a race of beings w...more

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Feb 23, 2010

Lady Vale rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: pnr-romance

OMG, what a difficult book to rate. Let me say that I just loved this book. I would have given 4 stars if it wasn't for that annoying part right in the middle and the author's tendency to let the heroine be rape or almost rape most of the book. I mean seriously, who does that? why would you want your heroine to suffer something like that? But well... (I must clarify that this is not a spoiler because it isn't something that happened once. I don't know why but Mona Lisa gets stuck in those kind o...more

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Jun 20, 2009

Brownbetty rated it

I grabbed this book from the library because the front said "A terrific debut sure to appeal to fans of Anne Bishop or Laurell K. Hamilton," after which it should be obvious to those who know me why I could not resist it. It delivered on this promise early, when on page 5 we get "My nipples hardened to stone, my inner sheath quivered, and I wanted to go to him." Inner sheath!

But even more to the point, I think, the Anne Bishop comparison is utterly on target. I...moreI grabbed this book from the library because the front said "A terrific debut sure to appeal to fans of Anne Bishop or Laurell K. Hamilton," after which it should be obvious to those who know me why I could not resist it. It delivered on this promise early, when on page 5 we get "My nipples hardened to stone, my inner sheath quivered, and I wanted to go to him." Inner sheath!

But even more to the point, I think, the Anne Bishop comparison is utterly on target. It is as if someone decided that the Black Jewels books were fabulous, but could be slightly less embarrassing to read if they had a little less naked id and talking unicorns. It doesn't aim far above; I'd estimate there's perhaps a 20% reduction in silliness, (It includes shape-shifters from the moon,) but Bishop's books are deeply silly. The set-up is almost directly from Bishop's world, with Queens ruling courts of men who are their lovers and protectors, including the bits about how the men feel an innate desire to serve a worthy queen, and, in fact, there are even "demon-dead" in her books. Lisa is, IMO, less annoying than Janelle, and the book doesn't waste time setting up her innocent victimhood. There is no faffing about with gradations of mystic jewellery, fetishized virginity, silly names (much), and "tangled webs," which I am grateful for. You don't get to use Shakespeare references and then insist that they exist independent of Shakespeare.

Which is why this book's title makes me nuts. You can't call a thing "The Mona Lisa anything" without it meaning to some extent Da Vinci's well known painting. In this book, all Queens are given the title of "mona" and our protagonist is named "Lisa." Just a wacky coincidence! Like, I have named my cheesecake recipe "Mick Jagger's famous cheesecake," and if that causes you to think there is a rockstar associated with it, that's hardly my fault!

Well, okay, in this case it is not so much misleading as highly distracting. But, you know, if you want Queens who are frequently dutifully sexing up their wounded protectors with their magical healing cunts, and just you know, compelled from duty to surround themselves with attractive, protective young men, you may be able to overlook this.(less)

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Oct 01, 2009

I ♥ Bookie Nookie rated it

Shelves: genre-pnr-uf, theme-weres-and-shifters, theme-angels-demons-aliens, genre-smut-paranormal, zz-reviewed, i-love-this-old

This was another one of those books that sat on my "to read" shelf forever--I kept putting it off for one reason or another...I think that the description of the book on the cover doesn't do the book justice.

When I read the cover, I was thinking--hmmm, children of the moon--that sounds stupid. Without giving anything away, being one of the "children of the moon" really just means you bask or rejuvenate your body in the moon light when it is a full moon. Sunny does...more

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Jun 14, 2008

Sizzlin Miss Kenjii rated it

Recommends it for: paranormal romance, shifter romance

Shelves: romance-paranormal, romance-erotic-romance-erotica

the author uses a lyrical way of writing that doesn't need alot of words to form a visual in your mind. Her way of describing the same scenes where never boring b/c of her style of writing. She worth reading over and over and any of her novellas are a hit with me.

This book is the first in the Monere series and starts by revealing the some of the characters mystical sides. Some of the characters are established and are very powerfully present. If your imagination is as active as mine...more

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Apr 04, 2008

Michelle rated it

I consider this book more erotica than romance or chick lit. It's very heavy on the sex. I loved the characters and the sex (so did my hubby). However, I have yet to read LKH so I'm behind the curve on comparisons. I also love Kim Harrison, so you can judge my review based on that. I like books that create separate worlds. I think the Moniere culture is an interesting diversion from the non-human types that I've read about so far. However, based on everyone's comparisons, I'm off to read some mo...more

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Dec 29, 2011

Joi rated it

I read in reviews that it was clear that the author was influenced by the Anita Blake series. Having read those I thought to myself that if these are anything like Laurell K. Hamilton's series then they should be good. I was wrong. I read this and the second book in the series. Awakening had a good start it seemed like it had a lot of potential. But the transition she made from being a seemingly normal human being with a special abilities to a domineering "Monere" queen isn't bel...more

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Aug 01, 2011

Mlle. X rated it

Shelves: erotica, paranormal-urban-fantasy

Mona Lisa Awakening is pretty good for a first novel. And if that's not damning by faint praise, I don't know what is.

The heroine, Lisa, is not fully developed. She doesn't know who she is, so neither does the reader - she changes personae so fast you get dizzy. One second she's an insecure nurse; the next she's a hyper-dominant queen; one second she's free-loving; the next she's a moralizing monogamist. Whatever suits the moment. And there's a lot of Mary Sueism. All the men want her...more

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Dec 30, 2010

Karissa Eckert rated it

When I first started reading this book I thought I had picked up a book by Christine Freehan or Sherrilyn Kenyon. The book started out way too mushy and romancy for me. I mean geez, Mona Lisa was sleeping with her guy very shortly into the book. I actually started snickering at the cheesy descriptions of Gyphon's skin, hair, and eyes. I almost couldn't get past that. But I had borrowed the book from my mom and she wanted to know what I thought of it. I decided to preserver; my mom doesn't recomm...moreWhen I first started reading this book I thought I had picked up a book by Christine Freehan or Sherrilyn Kenyon. The book started out way too mushy and romancy for me. I mean geez, Mona Lisa was sleeping with her guy very shortly into the book. I actually started snickering at the cheesy descriptions of Gyphon's skin, hair, and eyes. I almost couldn't get past that. But I had borrowed the book from my mom and she wanted to know what I thought of it. I decided to preserver; my mom doesn't recommend bad books to me and I figured why should she start now!

Basically the premise of the story is that Mona Lisa always knew she was different; she finds out rather quickly that she is a Mixed Blood. Her blood is mixed with that of the Monere. Not only that but she is powerful enough to be a Queen Monere. The book follows her struggles to gain a place in Monere society, survive the trickery of the other Queens, and start to form a loyal following of men to be her guards. Mona Lisa is seen as a breath of fresh air for the male Monere who are used to Queens being deadly and treacherous.

This book did get better. As it continued on there was murder, mayhem, and fun galore. Some reviews I have read of this book have lauded the creativity of the Monere race created in this book. I guess I have to disagree with that; the Monere race seemed like a repeat of Freehan's Carpathian race or Kenyon's Dark-Hunter race. As the book continued I began to be reminded of Laurell Hamilton's Meredith Gentry series. The gathering of men that takes place in this book (along with plentiful sex) and the sharing and manifestation of new powers between the characters is very reminiscent of what happens in the Meredith Gentry series. One thing I really didn't like about this book was there was just too much rape in it!

Overall this was a fun book to read. It was a quick read, fairly well written, and (after the first few chapters) face-paced and action-packed. If you are out of Meredith Gentry, Dark Hunter, and Carpathian novels to read this one would be worth picking up. I thought the book leaned more to romance than fantasy. I suppose it is a fine line to draw. But personally where I enjoy Laurell Hamilton, Kim Harrison, and Charlaine Harris, I do not take much pleasure in the books written by Sherrilyn Kenyon, Christine Feehan, and others of that ilk. There is a line for me where a book becomes too much of a romance and this book teetered on that line.

I might go ahead and read the next book in the series since my mom has it already. Personally I am just getting involved in too many of these paranormal type romance series. These types of series seem to go on forever. This book wasn't good enough to trump some of the other series I am in the middle of reading. (less)

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Sep 28, 2010

Jane Stewart rated it

Shelves: erotic-paranormal-romance, 4-plus-star-erotic-romance

4 1/2 stars. Liked it a lot. Definitely recommend it.

It had a good story and some good characters which is unusual for erotica. I plan to read more of this series. Story brief: The Monere people have powers and magic abilities humans don't have. The Monere live among humans, but humans don't know they are different. Queens rule territories. Mona Lisa was part Monere and part human and was left in an orphanage at birth. When she is 21, she meets Gryphon and realizes an unusual...more

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Jul 27, 2010

Lisa rated it

Shelves: pnr

This book is a little hard to rate. Let me start with the positives first. I liked how unique the story is. I haven't read a book like "Mona Lisa Awakening" and the story is very compelling. It has great characters, action and sex. I for one am completely bored with formula type books that are so predictable. This book is a breath of fresh air.

On the other hand I felt Sunny could of improved with the character development with Mona Lisa and Gryphon. I didn't feel that...more

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May 09, 2010

Kristen rated it

Shelves: escape-reality

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Wow. And not in a good way. What a piece of utter crap. When I had picked up the book initially, the fact that it was pretty much stated that the author had drawn 'inspiration' from Anne Bishop, Laurell K. Hamilton, etc I was intrigued. I am a fan of Anne Bishop. I am also a fan of Patricia Briggs, whose blurb appears on the book from a review or statement.

I didn't realize that fanfiction could be published. Oh, sure, it's not actually set in either the Black Jewels world or the Merr...moreWow. And not in a good way. What a piece of utter crap. When I had picked up the book initially, the fact that it was pretty much stated that the author had drawn 'inspiration' from Anne Bishop, Laurell K. Hamilton, etc I was intrigued. I am a fan of Anne Bishop. I am also a fan of Patricia Briggs, whose blurb appears on the book from a review or statement.

I didn't realize that fanfiction could be published. Oh, sure, it's not actually set in either the Black Jewels world or the Merry Gentry universe but it might as well have been a combination of the two. Inspiration is fine.

It was, at first, the little things here and there that irked me. Males serve the Queens who run territories. Okay, not exactly an original idea. A healer named Janelle pops up. Okay, coincidence. A character mentions his sister's name: Tersa. Really? Come on. Demon dead? The HIGH LORD OF HELL? Prince Halcyon might as well be Damon Sadi. The phrase "dreams made flesh" was used as well. Really? But even all of that aside...

I have never read a book where the main character was SUCH A MARY-SUE. Not even Twilight. And for those who know of my distaste of that Mary-Sue should realize that I do not state it lightly when I say that Mona Lisa is even worse. She comes from a Tragic Past, conjures up amazing street-fighting and blade-wielding abilities. She has all of the strengths and none of the weaknesses of the Monere, is the first of her kind, blah blah blah. And get this: her brother is a Gary-Stu! No foolin'! He is the first of his kind as well!

The characters are shallow, cardboard cut-outs, with no depth at all to lend to the story to make it interesting. The book is written from a first-person perspective so even having insight into the character's head helps in no way at all. Sex is a commodity yet the main character is somewhat prudish when it comes to most things; she doesn't mind jumping into the sack with someone within hours of meeting him but heaven forbid someone see her cleavage or witness her nudity or even what someone will think of her for having two lovers. Excuse me while I scratch my head in utter confusion at the way the character is portrayed. Prudish but doesn't hesitate to screw first (and second?) Monere male she meets. She's kidnapped, she is attacked, she is wounded more times than one can count, she possesses many powers that are not common to her race, she garners the attention of pretty much every male she comes into contact with--pretty much immediately. Did I mention that she has an animal form? She's a Bengal Tiger.

It pains me to realize that I have the next two books in the series through trades/swaps (thank goodness I have not paid out good money for this crap!) and I cannot let books go to waste. I will be reading those as well and choking them down as best I can.

1 star for utter unoriginality.(less)

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Nov 05, 2011

Kara rated it

Shelves: 2011-books, fantasy, mybooks

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

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Jul 29, 2011

Kit Embleton rated it

· review of another edition

I feel like there is next to nothing that I can say about this book. I can’t say that it was amazing, nor can I say that it was horrible. To be honest, I have a distinct feeling of “meh” when I think about it.

My lack of ability to say whether the book was good or not may something to do with the fact that when I read it, I had a disturbing feeling of déjà vu. While I noticed that the author had thanked Laurell K. Hamilton and Anne Bishop in her acknowledgements, I was surprised to find...moreI feel like there is next to nothing that I can say about this book. I can’t say that it was amazing, nor can I say that it was horrible. To be honest, I have a distinct feeling of “meh” when I think about it.

My lack of ability to say whether the book was good or not may something to do with the fact that when I read it, I had a disturbing feeling of déjà vu. While I noticed that the author had thanked Laurell K. Hamilton and Anne Bishop in her acknowledgements, I was surprised to find that this book read like a mash-up of the two author’s works. The only difference being that I found this book quite unbelievable and I didn’t appreciate the writing style at all.

Having read Bishop’s novels, one could say that I’m a little partial to her. I enjoy her writing, her characters, and the worlds she has created. While the world created in Mona Lisa Awakening is nothing new, the Monère are. Originally hailing from the moon, the Monère are a race of magical beings who now live side-by-side with humans. Poisoned by silver, unable to go out into the sun, nearly all shifters, they’re a sort of mixture of vampires and werelings.

The Monère have a hierarchy reminiscent of Bishop’s Black Jewels series, in that the men protect and serve the Queens of their race. Mixed bloods are used as little more than slaves. The Queens of the Monère have become twisted, in turn twisting the males who serve them. A few of the men have gone rogue, supposedly killing a Queen and now they refuse to allow any Queen to dominate them.

One thing I was prepared for, by the reviews I read, were the scenes depicting sexual intercourse. What I wasn’t prepared for was that the first one appeared less than twenty-five pages into the book. About then is where I was reminded why I stopped reading Hamilton’s Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series; the point where the main character essentially throws away all sense of herself just so she can get laid.

In addition to all the issues I have with the characters, I feel that the storyline and prose were not very well written. At one point, Mona Lisa thinks something along the lines of, “And it had only been two days.” In two days, this woman had been uprooted from her life as an ER nurse, dragged out to the middle-of-nowhere Minnesota and been told she’s a Queen of a mythical race who come from the moon and sleep with the men bound to protect them. It seems a little far-fetched and I had a terrible time attempting to dispel my disbelief as the story wore on.

As the story continued, I found more and more places where the author’s story was like Bishop’s Black Jewels series, from the names of characters, to the demon dead, and characters who “fade back to the darkness”. Essentially, the book felt like it had become a new, modernized retelling of the Black Jewels series, with a hyper-sexualized overtone. To be sure, I found myself more than a little frustrated that the author was so blatant in her borrowing from those who had inspired her writing.

Granted, I knew most of this going into my reading. I certainly can’t say that I am surprised, but I am quite disappointed: I’d heard good things about this series, and now I’m left with a near full set of books I will, most likely, never read.

While many say that those who enjoy the works of Anne Bishop and Laurell K. Hamilton will enjoy these novels, I would say that the ones who will enjoy this probably lean more toward the Hamilton line. I believe that fans of Bishop will be affronted by the familiarity of a few particular characters, while those who enjoy Hamilton’s works more will be intrigued by the sexual escapades of Mona Lisa and her entourage. Those of you who fall somewhere in the middle … I certainly wouldn’t recommend this book but if you enjoy urban fantasy and your erotica in written format, this wouldn’t be a bad series to try. (less)

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Dec 13, 2007

Tina rated it

Shelves: sff-urban-fantasy

This book was alright. It was like this weird wanna be cross between Anne Bishops dark jewels series and Laurell Hamilton's Anita Blake series. It was an ok enough story but I couldn't help feeling that there was a better story trying to get out. Also, I was so distracted by how similar in tone/feel to the other two authors that I cited, that I couldn't enjoy it. Subconsciously I kept comparing it to them.

I will probably read the follow up book to see if the story improves.

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Jul 10, 2010

Toana rated it

Shelves: sunny, favorites, pnr, i-own

Dark erotic paranormal fantasy....and I really liked it!

From the time she was a child, Mona Lisa knew she was different—but she never knew how different until a man of otherworldly beauty entered her life.

A humanoid race called the Monère came to Earth from the moon 4,000 years ago—they'll find much to like in this intrigue-filled erotic paranormal. The "children of the moon" are ruled by "Queens," rare females whose ability to pull down th...more

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Jul 14, 2009

Christina rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, 2009-reads

I'm going to be straight and say I DON'T understand how this book is a bestseller, let alone how it managed to be published. Penguin, what were you THINKING?

I've been looking for this book for a good year or so. Amazon was too expensive with the Australian exchange rate, and no bookstores seemed to have it. When I managed to find it on Fishpond (the Australian equivalent of Amazon), I was ecstatic.

Utter waste of time.

Mona Lisa is a slice of white bread. Bor...moreI'm going to be straight and say I DON'T understand how this book is a bestseller, let alone how it managed to be published. Penguin, what were you THINKING?

I've been looking for this book for a good year or so. Amazon was too expensive with the Australian exchange rate, and no bookstores seemed to have it. When I managed to find it on Fishpond (the Australian equivalent of Amazon), I was ecstatic.

Utter waste of time.

Mona Lisa is a slice of white bread. Boring, flat and with absolutely no real flaws, characteristics or traits. Rather than respond to situations as herself, she is clearly Sunny's puppet. When Sunny wants her to be meek, she is meek. When Sunny wants her to be sassy, she is sassy. There are no real obstacles Mona Lisa faces, because Mona Lisa can do everything. And everyone is either jealous, in love, or admires her.

Her transition to the Monere world is nonexistent, which to be frank, I call bullshit on. Has Sunny ever read a fantasy novel? A coming-of-age novel? ANY novel? Anyone who is thrown into a new world like Mona Lisa has been would find it difficult to settle and adjust. And how about when Gryphon first arrives? Are you really going to be so BELIEVING of this strange man who tells you about this secret world you've never heard of? Um, no.

Speaking of Gryphon - UGH. I know a great deal of their race is about attraction to their queens, yada yada yada, but come on. They have one night of passion and Mona Lisa is IN LOVE WITH HIM? Attracted, yes. Lusting after, yes. But love, no. I don't believe it. The same goes for Amber. I would not have guessed it if it wasn't for Sunny blatantly telling us that they are in love (and believe me, there is a LOT of telling).

Oh, and info-dumping. Don't even get me started on that.

If you are looking for something of substance: don't bother.
If you are looking for a great whirlwind romance or a fantastic new fantasy world: don't bother.
If you are looking for the next best read because you just finished the Black Jewels Trilogy and Amazon recommended this series: DON'T. BOTHER. (less)

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Jan 26, 2009

Jennifer rated it

Shelves: paranormal-romance

Sunny is an amazing writer; the way she strings together her thoughts on paper really allows the reader to drift into the world of the Monere. Something that is REALLY hard to do when written in first person.

One of my favorite things about this series was that the readers learned about the Monere as Mona Lisa did. At no time did we have more knowledge about their society than she did, which prevented a lot of heady legend/lore stuff and let the reader just experience (something that...more

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Mar 19, 2010

Jaimie rated it

Shelves: paranormal, romance, series

So I am kind of embarrassed that I even read this series. In my defense I didn't really mean to. Well it was at a time when I was reading like 7+ books a week and I was grabbing anything that sounded kind of interesting and I ended up with the third book. So instead of reading it and finding out it is basically porn I went and bought the first thinking that at the rate I was reading it didn't really matter how good it was. So that is how I started the series but I obviously went out and read the...more

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Nov 27, 2011

Alexis rated it

Shelves: can-t-wait-to-read, dec2011, paronormal-romance, discovery, self_discovery, saved, jealousy, funfearless-andfemale, favesofalltime, demons, betrayal, badass-sexyshifters, adult-romance-erotica, action_packed

WOW I fell in love with Mona Lisa!!!!:D Mona Lisa is a Fun Fearless Female!!!
I enjoyed this new world of supernaturals that Sunny(the author) introduced me to!! Mona Lisa got swept into her natural born self as a true Queen... Her loving heart was amazing to all those who came in contact with her. She fell for not one but two strong males Gryphon and Amber both willing to share her as lovers. I already ordered the nxt two bks in this series can't wait to read them!!

Plot Descrip...more

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Sep 20, 2011

Chris rated it

Shelves: dark-fantasy, erotic, favorites

Each book gets better than the last, quite refreshing series.
Bottom Line: Buy it
When you're a new queen, a mixed blood..who struggles to find yourself and establish your kingdom, along with the help of your two brand new lovers..warriors saved from death..all while some rivals conspire to kill you...and oh by the way, the Prince of Hell kinda digs you as well.
Having read some of the other reviews, I don't find this author like Anne Bishop (Sebastian) or Laurell K. Hamilton (Guilty...more

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Jun 01, 2008

Heather rated it

Recommends it for: Fans of LKH books, paranormal fantasy books.

Shelves: erotica

I read this in one day and it was great! Dark and dramatic it talks about a new breed of supernatural called the Monere. The author was clearly inspired by LKH and the likes, however the story is different enough that it doesnt feel like a copycat. Its sensual and sexy without being overrun with sex. I highly recommend it!

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Dec 23, 2011

Samantha rated it

Shelves: public-library-book, demons, favorites, i-cried, mythical-creatures, violence-against-women, paranormal, rape-scene-beware, shape-shifters, smokin-hot-drippin-wet, bad-ass-heroine, violence-gore-or-tortue, urban-fantasy

Very Darkly erotic, but wow! I absolutely loved this book. I love finding a paranormal series that is refreshingly different. Mona Lisa is an ER Nurse in Manhattan that feels alone in the world. She meets a creature during one of her shifts that changes her life and helps her to understand why she has been different all of her life. She is not only another species, but a born Queen of that species (kinda like a queen bee) that is meant to rule. This story was absolutely amazing though very dark!...more

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Feb 03, 2011

Dhfan4life rated it

I don't know where to start when reviewing this book. I mean there were some elements I liked about it such as the children of the moon aspect. Where the Monere people actually bask in the rays of moon to help them live longer. And that as a people they are a sort of combination of werewolf and vampire mix. As most are capable of turning into larger animals and yet still able to have their own set of powers in human form. Oh and the shorter chapters were really nice, alot of action in just 25 ch...moreI don't know where to start when reviewing this book. I mean there were some elements I liked about it such as the children of the moon aspect. Where the Monere people actually bask in the rays of moon to help them live longer. And that as a people they are a sort of combination of werewolf and vampire mix. As most are capable of turning into larger animals and yet still able to have their own set of powers in human form. Oh and the shorter chapters were really nice, alot of action in just 25 chapters. However this is where my likes end for this book. And the dislikes and a couple of eye rolls begin.

My first dislike is the obssessive theme of rape going on in the main characther's life. I mean pretty much from the time that Mona Lisa meets one of her people at the hospital she originally worked at. She is instantly swept up into a world filled with people thinking nothing of wanting to rape her and other people(one of which Mona Lisa saved by breaking the attacker's fingers and cutting off his penis. Which I have to say I'm still pretty impressed about). Even at some point her own childhood abuse came up. Which all led me to wonder what is up with the author? I mean I get rape can happen to any character or real life person at any time. But so often in one book was like what the hell?

My second dislike was the fact that Mona Lisa met just one of her people, Gryphon, in the hospital. And do to the natural physical attraction between the men and women of the Monere, they wound up in bed the same freaking day of meeting. Which I hate when characters do that as I like to get to know the characters separately before hooking up physically. But nope that didn't happen here these 2 were in the bed so fast it was unreal. And this didn't just happen with Gryphon, it also eventually happened with one of the men that Mona Lisa's biological mother had tried to get to rape her, but he didn't do that and yet later on she gave in and slept with him and he fell for her.

Which the sudden sex,collection of both Gryphon and Amber (her first near rapist since meeting her mother),and even a increase in powers led to my third dislike about the book. The sheer fact that both of these themes reminded me right away of the Anita Blake and Merry Gentry series from Laurell K. Hamilton. I had stopped reading both series because of these same aspects. So it leads me to wonder if the author possibly valued these things in Hamilton's works or what to have copied them pretty precisely. The some what lack of originality in the story bothered me as well.

So would I recommend this first book to others? Honestly I can't say that I would. Would have to leave it up to others to decide if they wish to read it.(less)

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Jul 27, 2011

Bethany C added it

Terrible writing- I normally forgive little things that make me roll my eyes, and that happens somewhat frequently in this genre (which don't get me wrong- I LOVE)- but this was NOT WORTH PICKING UP. There's probably not enough room here to list everything that was wrong with this book. The dialogue is just plain stupid, and everyone is so quick to explain everything, like a parody of a Bond villain who reveals in detail the master plan and then leaves the heroes to escape. The heroine goes f...more

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May 10, 2011

Quinn rated it

Shelves: fantasy-romance, library-book, erotic-romance

2.5 stars

This one was very nearly a DNF for me. The first 50 pages made for some of the most ridiculous reading I have ever encountered. Nonsensical. But... Defying all explanation, I was somehow drawn into the story enough to want to continue with the next book. I really can't explain it.

Mona Lisa has lived her life believing herself human, albeit feeling that she somehow doesn’t belong. Until one day while working as a nurse in the ER, she encounters a man who she is i...more

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Feb 16, 2009

Kristen rated it

Shelves: paranormal-romance

It's funny, I haven't finished this - but that to me is telling. I typically pick up the paranormal romance stuff and finish them each within 24 hours of starting (and they are usually quite a bit longer then this one). Don't get me wrong, a nice juicy scene in the first 25 pages is welcome - but I was perplexed by how within 15 minutes of meeting each other our 2 main characters are so "you're mine" and "I'm never going to let you go" and how fast she goes from orphaned no-o...moreIt's funny, I haven't finished this - but that to me is telling. I typically pick up the paranormal romance stuff and finish them each within 24 hours of starting (and they are usually quite a bit longer then this one). Don't get me wrong, a nice juicy scene in the first 25 pages is welcome - but I was perplexed by how within 15 minutes of meeting each other our 2 main characters are so "you're mine" and "I'm never going to let you go" and how fast she goes from orphaned no-one to commanding queen (again by the end of the first love scene - she's ordering him around and saying "if I am your queen...."). It is a little over the top - even for this genre.

I let go of any expectations of great writing (you know, the kind that leads to reprints by Penguin Classics or that sort - Jane Austin, Alexandre Dumas, etc.) when I step into the romance section of the book store - but I have been pleasantly surprised in the past by some awfully good plots, character development, etc. in certain series in that area - where I can't wait to read the next book in the series - well, here, I am not sure I am even going to finish the first book. I mean, the first chapter leaves almost nothing to be imagined - in the story or on the sex scene.... could we have learned more about each character over time? That's how readers become invested in the book - but learning about them gradually, giving the reader time to appreciate and like the character. Here they both spilled their guts in the first 5 pages and from what I see in the review - I shouldn't expect to get a whole lot more on the character development front. I also have a hard time reading this type of book when in the first person point of view. It's all "I" this and "I" that - but yet we still get to see/learn what others are thinking and feeling -without being told by the great narrator in the sky? It doesn't work for me.

Two weeks after starting, I am still only about 1/3 of the way through. I will probably tough it out - in the hopes that it gets better. But I don't have high hopes.(less)

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Sep 28, 2009

Shelley Stoker rated it

Recommends it for: Paranormal Romance Lovers; People not offended by sex and violence

Shelves: paranormal-romance, fantasy, romantica

I totally held my breath when I bought this book, because the reviews are so love-hate. Well, consider me "Team Monère!" I had so much FUN reading this book, and I found it to be truly unique. While everybody who loved the book seemed enamored by the two male leads, Gryphon and Amber, I am all about Prince Halcyon!!! I hope he shows up in the future books, and I hope that his role winds up being much more prevalent.

Yeah, this one's a keeper for me. Sure, some of it was a l...more

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Oct 07, 2009

Trishy rated it

Mona Lisa Awakening was an interesting book to start out with, but as you read the story you begin to find traces of other authors in the writing style. I found the story to be a mixture between Laurell K. Hamilton and Anne Bishop stories, which is in no way bad, but still almost an 'already been there, already read that.'

With that aside, the story was still a good read when you don't have a whole lot else to read/re-read. A good bit of sex and darkness spread throughout the story, e...more

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About Sunny

A family practice physician and Vassar graduate, Sunny was finally pushed into picking up her pen by the success of the rest of her family. Much to her amazement, she found that, by golly, she actually could write a book, and that it was much more fun than being a doctor.

As an author, Sunny has been featured on Geraldo at Large and CNBC, and has won many awards including the prestigiou...more

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Books by Sunny

Mona Lisa Blossoming (Monère: Children of the Moon, #3)

Mona Lisa Craving (Monère: Children of the Moon, #5)

Mona Lisa Darkening (Monère: Children of the Moon, #6)

Lucinda, Darkly (Demon Princess Chronicles, #1)

Lucinda, Dangerously (Demon Princess Chronicles, #2)

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Mona Lisa Awakening (Monère: Children of the Moon #1)

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