Kassa has
1644 books
—
compare books
|
stats
| # | cover | title | author | isbn | isbn13 | asin | num pages | avg rating | num ratings | date pub | date pub (ed.) | rating | my rating | review | notes | recommender | comments | votes | read count | date started | date read |
date
|
date purchased | owned | purchase location | condition | format | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0061726834
| 9780061726835
| 4.08
| 114,580
| Feb 01, 2011
| Feb 07, 2012
|
This is set in the future US where love has been diagnosed as a disease and all people must be "cured" on their 18th birthday. The book never explicit...more
This is set in the future US where love has been diagnosed as a disease and all people must be "cured" on their 18th birthday. The book never explicitly explains the cure but it sounds like a lobotomy. The main narrator, Lena, is all for the cure until she falls in love in the months before her 18th birthday. She discovers why love is so powerful and worth dying for. The premise is interesting even though the descriptions are pretty classic dictator-run military state. There's not much deviation in the set up but enough to keep it interesting. I like the writing a lot as it's smooth and engaging from the beginning. The dramatic touch at the ending also had me excited to read the next books. My only caveat is that Lena is insufferable most of the time. She's afraid of absolutely everything, she reacts in the worst possible way every single time - in this she is extremely predictable and annoying - and everyone accommodates her instead of slapping her when she deserves it. It's a real credit to the story that the writing overcomes such an unlikable main chick. Im curious to see where this series goes. (less)
| Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| not set
| not set
|
May 21, 2013
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 0062125958
| 9780062125958
| 3.15
| 386
| Jan 08, 2013
| Jan 08, 2013
|
This is a post-apocalyptic story about a world where robots have taken over the world to save humans from themselves, supposedly. It stars 3 teen sibl...more
This is a post-apocalyptic story about a world where robots have taken over the world to save humans from themselves, supposedly. It stars 3 teen siblings fighting to rescue their parents, who were taken by robots. The premise is decent and action interesting. I actually really loved the re-education portion of the book where the robots talk about humans as their creators and gods but ultimately flawed and pitiful. I wish there had been more of this philosophical argument and less of the kids being idiots. The oldest brother does all these ridiculous, stupid things which propels the plot forward but made me wish he'd just die already. In the end, there's actually no resolution, which surprised me after all that time. The book reads like the first in a trilogy though so no doubt the author is dragging out the drama. However, I'm not sure I'll continue with the series. The writing is decent but the characters didn't grab me. I appreciated the lack of romance though.(less)
| Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| not set
| not set
|
May 21, 2013
| Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
| 9781419939686
| 3.92
| 257
| May 09, 2012
| May 09, 2012
|
In my quest to experience new authors, Avril Ashton is my pick from Ellora’s Cave. While there are numerous good reasons why EC is not a publisher I g...more
In my quest to experience new authors, Avril Ashton is my pick from Ellora’s Cave. While there are numerous good reasons why EC is not a publisher I go to when choosing books (esp m/m books) this particular choice wasn’t horrific. As that’s not a ringing endorsement, I found the writing to be standard if unimaginative, the characters to be stereotypical and predictable, the story littered with clichés, and a plot that didn’t always make much sense. Yet I found the book ok and finished it without having to force myself. I like the concept of the characters and the plot more than the actual execution. I know there are 2 more books in the series that tempt me because I like the potential of the characters and the situations. I’m just not entirely sure the writing can execute them. In the opener of the series straight cop Gabe interviews notorious gang leader Angelo about the death of his sister. Supposedly sparks fly immediately and the two are instantly in love and obsession. This is a tough sell and the story doesn’t really try to get the readers to buy it. Once the two men are in love, the rest of the story is about the push and pull of opposing dynamics. The set up is that as a cop, Gabe must set aside his beliefs to be with Angelo. While Angelo the gangster is more than what he appears. I like the concept of the story and although it’s nothing original, I am fine to read such a story. Unfortunately the plot doesn’t really do anything with the idea. Gabe isn’t an active cop for the entirety of the story so there’s very little, if any, real conflict there. Angelo is working the entire time with secret goals – the gangster with a good heart and morals. I would have liked it a lot more if Gabe had to accept the reality of a gangster with no golden ulterior motives. That would have been more conflict and genuine drama. Instead Gabe pulls a fit at random intervals and breaks up with Angelo for no real reason. He creates some big scene so the story can prolong the happy ending but the two immediately get back together after Gabe pouts for a short while how much it hurts but it’s the right thing to do. The problem with this is that the behavior never made any sense. Gabe would be 100% supportive then out of the blue flip out and leave. Angelo always justified the behavior but I found these rationales to be weak and usually untrue. The two men could have a passionate dynamic and while they have quite a lot of graphic sex, I never found these scenes to be that hot or romantic. I couldn’t buy into the instant, life-changing love the two felt; partly because the two characters are one dimensional and often predictable. They never lived up to the potential within the stereotypes, similar to the plot also lacking any additional depth beyond the basics. There are numerous secondary characters that suffer the same problem. They could be interesting but they stay very safe and easy without any added work or help. I’d say that’s the biggest overall problem with the story itself. For example the story is set in Brooklyn but I had no sense of the city and it could have been set anywhere in the US. The urban background is missing entirely and is replaced with a bland, non descript, unimportant feeling of random houses the characters shift in and out of. All of these problems mean the story is not that great, however, it’s not horrible. I found it easy to read and the writing is pretty standard. I kept wanting the plot to go somewhere new and interesting, although when it finally did (the ending) it made absolutely no sense and actually created so many questions. I liked the secondary characters that star in the sequels but I have little confidence the plot and characterizations are any better. So I’m on the fence. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this as something to buy but I didn’t mind reading it on a slow night. (less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| not set
| not set
|
May 21, 2013
| ebook
| ||||||||||||||||
| 1623802849
| 9781623802844
| 4.17
| 60
| Mar 11, 2013
| Mar 11, 2013
|
I chose Freedom based on a suggestion. I didn’t read the blurb but went in with high expectations. I quite liked the book for most of it, though once...more
I chose Freedom based on a suggestion. I didn’t read the blurb but went in with high expectations. I quite liked the book for most of it, though once the group broke out of the hospital and were on the run, things started to fall apart. The ending is nicely wrapped up but I was left with a lot of questions. Most of all I couldn’t buy into the chemistry between the two lead characters and I found one of the lead men to be weak and uninteresting. These two issues definitely killed some of the reading enjoyment for me. At the same time the writing and creativity are high and I’d cautiously recommend this one. I’m on the fence whether I’d read this author again. The premise is a post-apocalyptic society where survivors are classed with Talents. These are Psychic talents that manifest in a variety of recognizable ways. Patrick is an Empath and works at a local hospital. He is assigned to treat an unknown man who was picked up off the street, battered and bruised. This unknown man, Jac, has numerous high level Talents and is soon endangered because of them. Now Patrick and others must work to free Jac before he can be apprehended and locked in a lab. The actual plot is somewhat more complicated and complex than the simplistic summary may suggest, but those are the essential elements. The creativity is pretty high and the author/story did a good job incorporating decent world building and background information. There are no clunky blocks of exposition but instead a smooth transition of dialogue, information, and action. The prose is clean and evocative. The first half of the story while Jac is in the hospital is especially riveting. The dynamics between the characters and details incorporated make for a quick, exciting read. I especially liked the character of Jac and the interplay between him and Patrick. I could see a connection, of some sort, and sped through the pages with ease. Once Jac’s partner, Rob, is introduced and the group quickly leaves the hospital then the plot, pacing, and interest fell off sharply for me. Here the plot suffers, as there are additional characters that feel distracting, even as they have a point and are interesting in their own right. The race to get away from the government worker feels very uneven - hurry up, wait, hurry up to confrontation. There are additional peripheral dramas, such as Jac’s mental wanderings, that left me confused as to their purpose. One main issue I had during this part of the book was that Patrick completely unravels. He turns from a somewhat competent man to unintelligent, naïve, and ineffectual. He literally does nothing to help anyone and in fact hinders numerous people in multiple ways. His abrupt shift from compassionate worker/friend to naïve foil made me dislike him and he never recovered in my opinion. His connection with Jac feels weak compared to the strength of Rob and Jac’s bond. I never really saw why Jac was so enamored with Patrick or why he would chose him over Rob. I can extrapolate and make assumptions but I didn’t feel that connection between them. On the plus side I think the story is creative and well written. It has good world building, a complicated and fascinating cast of characters (all of whom I liked better than Patrick), and a decent story. For most of the book, the pages fly by with interest but the last third kind of lost me as a reader. The plot and lead character turned and never recovered for me. I’d cautiously recommend this as it’s an enjoyable book on the whole, but I’m not sure I’d trust this author again. If readers aren’t as turned off by the last third they should enjoy this considerably more. (less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| May 09, 2013
| May 13, 2013
|
May 09, 2013
| ebook
| |||||||||||||||
| 9781623001124
| 4.11
| 331
| Dec 04, 2012
| Dec 04, 2012
|
I quite enjoyed reading Dark Space. It has some decent world building, a semi interesting plot, a well-developed narrator, and a happy ending. That’s...more
I quite enjoyed reading Dark Space. It has some decent world building, a semi interesting plot, a well-developed narrator, and a happy ending. That’s not to say it was without problems, as there were numerous issues, but on the whole I enjoyed reading this more than I thought. So much so I’ll be checking out the author’s other books. I think the whole of the story elevates the enjoyment and makes up for the individual problems. For a reader who is not as engaged with the writing, this story could be frustrating. The sci-fi plot is very solidly set in space. Brady Garrett is a 19 y/o recruit with 7 more years of his 10-year service conscription. He’s desperate to get out of the military so he can take care of his now 6 y/o sister and he tries to get through his days by keeping his head down and being as innocuous as possible; that all changes when hero Cameron Rushton returns after his abduction four years ago. Cameron was taken by alien enemies, called Faceless, and has returned with a message. However, in the process of Cameron’s return he’s inexplicably linked with Garrett. Now the two share a heartbeat, memories, thoughts, and feelings. They live in each other’s thoughts. As if that wasn’t shocking and scary enough, the Faceless are returning, which means certain death. The sci-fi aspects of the world building are nice, although a mixture of post-apocalyptic and typical space frontierism. Almost the entire story takes place on a space station so there’s little need to embellish on the expected world building, though the story does make a few nice additions and details that are appreciated. The enemies, the Faceless, are an especially well crafted touch and I liked any scenes that involved them or flashbacks/peeks into their technology and culture. I found myself wanting to know more of how the conflict first came about and considering the lopsided nature of it, why it was sustained as long as it was. The world building is solid and one that engaged me throughout the book. On the flip side, the start is rocky and somewhat choppy. It takes a bit for the writing to settle and find it’s groove, but when it does the plot kicks in nicely. Here the problem soon becomes a sort of hurry up and wait. The story will throw in a lot of quick action and movement, then pause and offer a considerable amount of exposition to catch the reader up on everything they needed to know to understand all the action. This kind of fast-forward then rewind leads to a very uneven pace and can be frustrating. It’s not the best way the story could have integrated the necessary background. Additionally for a large portion of the story, Garrett and Brady are sequestered alone together. This enforced intimacy forces the relationship to grow quickly, but at the sacrifice of plot and pacing. While the two men are falling in lust and love, the plot pretty much stops entirely and the scenes are repetitious. Although I feel the story could have achieved this goal of a deepening relationship in a much better way, the engaging narrator helps mitigate this problem. For me the narrator, Garrett, is at once the best aspect and the worst. He is the sole voice and sole reasoning that the reader sees, while every other character feels like an ill-defined shadow at best while Garrett shines in technicolor. Garrett is desperately young and incredibly immature. His reactions to almost all events frustrated me and on several occasions I wanted to slap him, though I know it wouldn’t have helped. Yet at the same time I could appreciate the authenticity and genuine honesty of the flawed character. He is so far from perfect I wouldn’t have minded if the story had toned down his irrational rage and immaturity, but it gives a strong focus against a somewhat an inactive background. Finally I appreciated the happy ending, which I didn’t think was possible. However, it also feels weak and tacked on; almost as if the story and writing didn’t know how to create the happy ending so with some hand waving, implausible and unexplained actions, suddenly a HEA appears. It’s not a strength of the story but like I said, I wanted there to be a HEA so I wasn’t complaining. Overall the sum of the parts leads to a greater and more enjoyable reading experience than the elements. The writing is very engaging and the creativity helps smooth out rough spots. I found myself not wanting to put the book down even as I would get frustrated with certain characters or actions. I wanted to see what would happen and I was genuinely curious if a happy ending would occur. I’d easily recommend this to sci-fi and gay-for-you fans. While I probably wouldn’t read this particular story again, I’m glad I did and I would happily revisit this world. (less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| not set
| not set
|
May 09, 2013
| ebook
| ||||||||||||||||
| 9781623804350
| 3.77
| 30
| Mar 20, 2013
| Mar 20, 2013
|
DSP is hit or miss but I’m extremely pleased I seem to have hit with this choice. The writing is smooth, engaging, and interesting while there is a co...more
DSP is hit or miss but I’m extremely pleased I seem to have hit with this choice. The writing is smooth, engaging, and interesting while there is a considerable amount of hot sex, almost too much. I’m not complaining as this is smutty good fun with some solid writing and decent, if sketchy, world building. As far as sci-fi/erotica offerings go, I quite enjoyed this quick novella and would definitely go back for more from this author. The story is about Rizzo, a disgruntled human who gets kidnapped by an alien race that look exactly like humans. This alien race, Heracians, is part artificial intelligence and part human biology. They need to mate with humans to ensure the AI part of their makeup doesn’t take over. If the AI does take over, the end result is usually death. So basically their species is dying out without the intervention and help of humans breeding with them. Enter Rizzo! He’s willing to help out with a “donation” but his attitude and blundering place him solidly within the dominant grasp of Captain Conrad. Just when the two seem to screw each other into love and happiness, their future is uncertain. To start with I was uncertain about Rizzo because he’s basically an asshole. There’s very little that redeems him for most of the story, though I can’t say I hated him. He definitely grew on me and his dedication and strength at the end was touching. I have to give the story credit as it built a very nuanced and layered character in Rizzo. I think it wasn’t entirely successful but for the most part he’s definitely interesting. Conrad is the picture of a control freak dom. I liked him even though he’s not the most developed character. I especially liked the two of them together as they have some scorching chemistry and fit each other well. There is a ton of erotica in this short novella. That’s not a bad thing as it’s very hot and only mild BDSM, more so D/s with the whole claiming “you’re mine” motif through sex. It works for both the characters and I quite enjoyed it. The story did focus a bit too much on this and tended to make simplistic transitions. For example any time the scene changed, Rizzo just passed out and woke up in the new place. Since this seemed to happen every time, I became frustrated with the lack of a more smooth and interesting transition. Likewise the ending left me wanting, considering I quite enjoyed the story up til then. I don’t want to give spoilers but I thought the scenes with the Zak and recuperation were simply thrown in to add last minute drama. It helped develop the connection between Rizzo and Conrad but the story never says exactly what happened and how they ended up together. It’s just an unfortunate ending to an otherwise strong novella. The sci-fi aspect is interesting and well done. Despite the limited space the world building is sufficient and I personally would love to read more stories set in this world. There are definite holes in the creation and some unexplained questions, just as there are in the plot, but I found these minor and didn’t affect my reading enjoyment. Overall I’m very pleased with this offering and can recommend it. It’s short, just over 100 pages, so not much of a commitment and there’s a lot of sex (which makes for a fast read). Sci-fi and mild BDSM fans will enjoy this the most but I think the smooth writing and creative imagery are worth checking out as well. I’m looking forward to reading more of this new-to-me author. Success! (less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| not set
| not set
|
May 06, 2013
| ebook
| ||||||||||||||||
| 1451617526
| 9781451617528
| 3.76
| 521
| Mar 05, 2013
| Mar 05, 2013
|
None
| Notes are private!
| none
|
0
| May 03, 2013
| not set
|
May 03, 2013
| Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
| 0316228532
| 9780316228534
| 3.27
| 73,229
| Jan 01, 2012
| Sep 27, 2012
|
Having recently finished The Casual Vacancy on audio book, I’m left wondering at the point of the entire story and why I wasted so much time on this b...more
Having recently finished The Casual Vacancy on audio book, I’m left wondering at the point of the entire story and why I wasted so much time on this book. I wouldn’t say it’s necessarily a bad book, but I think it’s over written with a wandering plot and abrupt ending, but it’s definitely not a great, wonderful, read over and over again book (like the Harry Potter series). The prose often feels as though it’s trying entirely too hard to be clever and unique while the plot never has a cohesive trajectory. The vast cast of characters is certainly multifaceted and nuanced but entirely reprehensible with not a single likeable character in the entire book. I don’t really know what point the author was trying to convey with this book, nor what the book is actually about. The entire story revolves around a small town in England called Pagford. The book starts with the death of a well-liked member of the community, who also sat on the parish council. His seat is now up for grabs and initially the book makes a big deal about this general election to fill the seat. This gives the impression that the main thrust of the story is about the election and the various underhanded actions of everyone associated in some way to it. However, this plot point soon peters out to a very anticlimactic ending of the election. By this time, the cast doesn’t even care about the election anymore although the book continues for some time after this so clearly the election really isn’t the main point. Another possible purpose of the book is to highlight the various community members of Pagford and how they are all horrible in their own ways. Here the book does an incredible job offering nuanced and reasoned characterizations for every single person. Almost everyone is a major character with a narrative voice and the book takes great pains to show the various circumstances and disappointments that led to them being dreadful people. This is easily a double edged sword because while the characterization may be outstanding, it still leaves the reader with a cast of awful, unlikable people doing terrible things, although seemingly justifiable at the time. One of the reasons I didn’t like this book is that there’s not a single character you can root for and hope their life improves. Each one does something abhorrent or is frankly unlikable in his/her own right. The closest I came to liking someone was feeling pity for Andrew Price and Sukhvinder Jawanda. The rest of Pagford are self absorbed and I didn’t like listening to any of their thoughts or justifications. I kept wondering what the point of it all was and why I should care about any of them. I stayed with the book partially in hopes that the plot would reveal some grand plan for all the characters but instead it ends abruptly with no real closure to anyone/anything. Additionally I found the writing occasionally painful. I liked the clean, vivid imagery of Rowling’s other books with writing that allowed for a great deal of subtext. Here I felt the prose was awkward and verbose, often tripping over itself to be clever. The imagery felt too melodramatic and repetitive instead of fresh and interesting. Here I could hear the narrator occasionally having trouble with some of the phrasing, which only increased my impression of the loquacious prose. Ultimately this isn’t a book I’d recommend. I think the author clearly has a lot of skill, as demonstrated by the compelling and fully nuanced cast, but at the same time I think the story has little to no real focus and less likability. Hopefully this isn’t a series and any future books will be better. I don’t want to give this the GR 1 star, although I didn’t like it, because I think it’s better written than that. However I do think it deserves the 2 star rating. (less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| May 03, 2013
| May 16, 2013
|
May 03, 2013
| Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
| 1771115114
| 9781771115117
| 1.83
| 6
| Jan 01, 2013
| 2013
|
I chose this because I liked the name – I’ve read several good books with the same title, which invoked a positive association – and I thought the blu...more
I chose this because I liked the name – I’ve read several good books with the same title, which invoked a positive association – and I thought the blurb sounded light but fun. If only I’d looked at the cover because really, has any book ever been good with a cover like that? I hate to be superficial but I can’t think of a single book I loved with such a bad cover. It’s like no one cares about the aesthetics because the content must be crap too. Even though I had a bad feeling about this once I saw the cover, I tried to go in with a more open mind. Perhaps it’s not great literature but maybe it’ll be smutty fun. I already had the book after all. Sadly, it’s not even smutty fun. The plot is some weird, confusing thing with men from two opposing sides in a sci-fi war of species. Robert is an Aussie human that was captured and forced into sexual slavery, I think. Except he wasn’t really. He claims he was tortured and raped but actually he wasn’t raped and I’m not entirely sure how he was tortured. I think his men were though? He’s also not really a sex slave so I’ve no real clue what he was doing on the planet, why he was there, and how he managed to pretend to be a sex slave for a particular vessel. The details tend to be fluid and often lumped together in large periods of exposition while the two men are naked. Devin is a Voltan, a species that must have sex or they die. Devin thought he was hiring Robert for some sexy times but Robert then hijacked the ship, forcing the two would be enemies to join together and fight for the good of both species. Or something like that. Mostly it was a confusing mess of stilted dialogue, head hopping, and impressive recovery time for the human. There were vague goals of galactic peace and lots of sex, but I’m just not sure what the point of the story was. For me, the confusion started right off. The narrative jumps right into Devin needing sex and Robert being the “sex slave” though he clearly wasn’t any such thing. The dialogue is stilted with crude or ridiculous commentary from Robert and Devin’s repeated ignorance. I admit I kind of identified with Devin because I had no clue what was going on either. There are a few threats but those are handled in minutes, merely meant to isolate both men from their people and having to rely solely on each other. I could kind of follow the purpose behind the actions; I could at times see where the author and story was trying to convey. However, the language used is awkward and clumped together during an improbable time, such as when both men are naked and contemplating sex. That’s not where I expect an in depth conversation about the nature of war and species. Beyond the confusing plot and clunky writing, the men feel completely flat. There’s no real depth or background to either. There are failed attempts here and there to add more to the characters (such as an aside that Robert’s friend died) but nothing that adds nuance and subtly. They’re obvious and uninteresting, partly because the whole story lacks a smooth flow. I couldn’t ever get into the groove of reading it. I couldn’t identify what the story was trying to be; for example it lacks enough sex to be focused on erotica. There’s absolutely no world building and not enough of a plot to be more sci-fi, and there’s no sense of a connection between the men to feel romantic. It’s almost as if the story tried to be a little of everything without fully fleshing out any of the concepts. Overall I didn’t loathe this book to its very being, as I have with other books. I feel partly responsible for not liking it because I should have known better with the cover. Yet I think even with an exceptional cover I’d have felt the same. The writing and story itself just didn’t come together to make the story and make me believe in it. The author did mention this was her first m/m so perhaps that has something to do with it and other books are better. I’m giving this 1 star because I didn’t like it and that’s the goodreads designation. I’m not saying stay away from the author, but perhaps don’t go for this one. (less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| not set
| not set
|
May 03, 2013
| ebook
| |||||||||||||||
| 9781627570022
| 3.25
| 4
| Apr 12, 2013
| Apr 12, 2013
|
I’m very torn about this serial. On the one hand I think it’s very well written with some clever twists and a touch for drama. There are so many intri...more
I’m very torn about this serial. On the one hand I think it’s very well written with some clever twists and a touch for drama. There are so many intriguing and absorbing aspects about this story that I get sucked in just when I think I’m done. This installment created more questions and I’m too intrigued and caught to give up now. At the same time, however, I actively dislike both Gabriel and Dorian as characters and find them insufferable. Thankfully this part focuses more on the secondary characters and flashes into Dorian’s past so I could enjoy it more, but I still can’t stand either protagonist and actively wish bad things happen to them. This time Gabriel has a flashback into Dorian’s past and his lover Joshua. This scene is really well written and kind of trippy. It’s meant to confuse and portray that sense of disembodiment that Gabriel is clearly feeling throughout the scene. Additionally it makes me really anxious and eager to see if Gabriel will go through the same fate, and considering my dislike of him I kind of hope he does. He deserves it. But moving on the writing in this scene and the later scene with Dorian and Simone is simply wonderful. The deft use of language and the ease with which complex emotion is conveyed is surprising. The glimpses into Dorian’s maze-like past and a hint of the powers he possesses are intriguing and leave me wanting more. I especially liked Michael’s more upfront involvement. He stands out as a character I can understand and appreciate while Gabriel continues to be perhaps the very definition of too-stupid-to-live. Dorian’s smugness is expected and I find it somewhat boring. He’s insufferable, which is how I found the original Dorian as well. I don’t really see Gabriel as being anything special; he doesn’t seem that bright or intuitive. Even his re-telling of his, or more accurately Michael’s, past doesn’t quite yield any real depth to the character from my perspective. I still think Gabriel should be smarter and more in control than he currently is. Overall I have to say this was a successful addition to the series. It’s well written, concise, informative, and sets up numerous future scenarios. There is any number of directions this serial could go and I have to say, despite myself, I’m curious to see what the authors choose. I’ll probably always hate Gabriel and Dorian but the story itself is enough to keep me going for now. I also found this one easily enough to pick up on its own without needing to remember too much from the previous edition. Oh and for those that have the season’s pass – which I recommend – the free story is very sweet. It’s a bit of Dorian’s past with Basil and how they first came to start their affair. It shows a much less jaded side of Dorian but also shows how he’s basically the same man, then and now. It’s a sweet glimpse and just long enough. (less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| not set
| not set
|
Apr 22, 2013
| ebook
| ||||||||||||||||
| Z., Cari
*
| 9781627570015
| 4.43
| 7
| Apr 12, 2013
| Apr 12, 2013
|
Episode 3 of the serial picks up exactly where the last series left off. Devon has given away his sense of touch to a witch in exchange for informatio...more
Episode 3 of the serial picks up exactly where the last series left off. Devon has given away his sense of touch to a witch in exchange for information about their target. The information seems good but Devon is horrified when he realizes the true cost of the bargain. Losing his sense of touch plagues him in ways he had no way of knowing. Distraught and scared, Devon and Rio head to Devon’s hometown and his dads to wait out the remaining few days before getting his full ability back. Once there though, revelations, complications, and intense emotion are just a few of the things waiting for them. It took me a minute to get my head back into the serial. Thankfully it wasn’t so long ago that I read the first two installments so I could recall the details quickly but even so, I wish there was a summary of some sort to catch the reader up. Though the important detail to remember is simply that Devon can’t feel anything. He has no awareness of falling, walking, eating, biting, or sleeping. He can’t feel uncomfortable or cold or if he cut his foot off. The absence of such a crucial sense dawns on Devon much too late. However he deals with it the best he can by returning to his childhood home and adopted dads for comfort and familiarity. This aspect of the story isn’t very action packed, especially compared to previous episodes, but it gives a significant amount of background and general information. We learn more about Rio’s background and what exactly he is, while learning more about cambion’s in general. Devon’s dad’s history is very interesting and the author does a great job of keeping the interest and intensity of the story high despite the dialogue and information heavy installment. I’m a little sad that Devon and Rio will be leaving the dads since they peaked my interest considerably. I hope the author writes a side book about those two and their story. Devon and Rio’s connection deepens, which is nice to see, but I’m still wondering about their relationship. They’re not first time lovers and they seem to only be together during jobs, however, they clearly care very much about each other so I’m confused as to the status of their relationship and how it works. If this is just a particularly long job and they are becoming more attached or if they’ll separate like always at the end. The writing as always is crisp and creative. I appreciate the author’s imagination quite a bit and am looking forward to see where the story goes and what else will be thrown at the reader. I feel as though we’ve only barely scratched the surface of both the complex world and possibilities and I’m eager for more. As a side note, the free story that’s included in the season pass is quite fun. It’s a nice deviation for Rio and Devon and shows more about their abilities and natural connection. I did think it packed too much in for a short, leaving the resolution too simplistic, easy, and fast considering the long lead up but I quite enjoyed reading it and have no complaints. It’s definitely worth getting with the season pass so I recommend that. (less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| not set
| not set
|
Apr 16, 2013
| ebook
| |||||||||||||||
| 9781623002589
| 3.60
| 131
| Feb 26, 2013
| Feb 26, 2013
|
Tere Michael’s new novel, The Heir Apparent, is a tightly written, absorbing mystery-romance. The characters have depth and the relationships grow bey...more
Tere Michael’s new novel, The Heir Apparent, is a tightly written, absorbing mystery-romance. The characters have depth and the relationships grow beyond typical expectations. The mystery portion is interesting and could have been pretty suspenseful, unfortunately there is only one option for villain and the story doesn’t even try to offer other options. Thus the end reveal is too easy and obvious, which ruins the pacing and suspense. However, I found this to a pretty minor problem and enjoyed the story regardless. Henry Walker is the son and heir of some kind of global industry company. He and his driver/bodyguard Archie Banks have been friends since childhood and turned into friends with benefits as they grew up. Now Archie is looking to leave and start his own career in business while Henry is expected to take up the reins of his father’s business. A sudden accident throws everything into turmoil and Henry doesn’t know what to think or whom to believe. The main thrust of the story is the evolving relationship between Henry and Archie, framed by the chaos of the kidnapping attempt and it’s aftermath. Henry begins the story weak-willed and submissive. He’s deeply afraid of his father while craving the man’s affection and pride. Henry is mired in his own self-doubt too much to ever really acknowledge his relationship with Archie. The kidnapping and subsequent actions force Henry to define his life and wants. It makes him grow up and be his own person, finally. These events actually go a long way towards establishing and building Henry as an independent, likable character. The other characters are decent and the females feel supportive without smothering or collapsing. I liked the warmth and concern of those who worked for the Walker estate, a kind of old world charge even as Archie realizes how ridiculous and superficial it all is. Archie feels genuine and makes a good counterpoint to Henry without being overbearing or too invisible. He straddles the line between partner and deference well but will likely flourish out on his own. There’s a hanging thread on whether he finished his degree or had to repeat the semester but that’s a small detail. On the other hand the mystery of who arranged the kidnapping is laughably obvious. The story only offers one possibility and basically puts up a neon sign saying who is responsible. The fact that the characters don’t realize this really put a stretch on my ability to suspend disbelief. Numerous details and overwhelming evidence got too much towards the end, making the eventual reveal thin and tired before it even started. I wish the story had offered other options to really make the suspense sing and get readers questioning who might be the villain. Although I easily guessed the ending, this is still an enjoyable read. The writing is tight, characterizations interesting and the various relationships grow and offer more depth at the end than the beginning. Whereas characters may feel wooden at the start they definitely change and deepen by the end, which makes the story interesting despite the failure at creating suspense. The ending is slightly too easy but no real complaints. I’d recommend this one for fans of Michaels but those new to her writing should definitely read others first. This is a good read but not her best. (less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| not set
| not set
|
Apr 03, 2013
| ebook
| ||||||||||||||||
| Z., Cari
*
| 9781937058999
| 4.00
| 10
| Mar 08, 2013
| Mar 08, 2013
|
Episode 2 of Cambion hits a bit harder and a bit edgier than the first. It’s just as good, if not better, than the first episode as the action becomes...more
Episode 2 of Cambion hits a bit harder and a bit edgier than the first. It’s just as good, if not better, than the first episode as the action becomes more involved and deeper. The characters aren’t really given any more depth and the supernatural world they operate in isn’t any weightier than the brief outline of the previous book. Despite this, the tone of this story is darker and more insidious, leading to potential new dangers. The story picks up exactly where the last episode left off. I can understand that from a perspective of basically breaking up a longer length novel into several parts, but would have preferred some kind of summary prior to the story starting. Although there’s only a short time between each episode, it’s very easy to forget the basics of the serial, especially without anything to help jog your memory about where the story is up to that point. As more episodes are added, this will become more of a hindrance. Moving on, Rio and Devon pick up where they left off trying to track down the missing Grey. They head to Vegas to see a witch with diving power to locate where Grey is. However, it’s not that easy and both men have to go to consider trouble and gruesome deeds to accomplish this goal. The tone is immediately darker as the two men deal with different layers of evil. The side characters are kind of sad with their magic, even while being deadly and incredibly creepy. Rio and more so Devon are interesting in their reactions. It shows more emotion behind both facades. For as interesting and engaging as the darker tone and more somber vibe of the story, I was disappointed to feel that neither man actually got anymore developed. They’re both fun to read and their sex is smoking hot, no question. However, I still want to know more about where they come from, their backgrounds, who exactly they are. There are some intriguing details dropped about Devon’s past but it was too little and not explored at all. I’m still trusting the story will offer more as the episodes go on but I honestly hope it’s not all action and little character development. I actually liked this offering better than the first one and am excited to see where it goes. I like the possibility that the main characters are not immune to problems. They’re wildly talented of course, but it’s not to know they’re not invincible. I’m very curious to see where the story goes from here. I’d recommend reading the first one again or waiting to read these back to back though. (less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| not set
| not set
|
Apr 02, 2013
| ebook
| |||||||||||||||
| 0307341569
| 9780307341563
| 3.88
| 41,541
| Jan 01, 2009
| May 05, 2009
|
Enjoyable though I guessed part of the ending early. In true Flynn form, there are no likable characters in the story - everyone is horrible.
| Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| Mar 27, 2013
| Apr 02, 2013
|
Mar 27, 2013
| Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
| 1623803624
| 9781623803629
| 4.10
| 328
| Feb 21, 2013
| Feb 22, 2013
|
I was really surprised by Fettered. I didn’t expect anything bad, after all it’s Lyn Gala and I quite like her books, but I was surprised by how good...more
I was really surprised by Fettered. I didn’t expect anything bad, after all it’s Lyn Gala and I quite like her books, but I was surprised by how good this one was. I think that’s due to the more intense subject matter and how it’s handled. The concept and plot are good and the story isn’t afraid to delve into pretty dark areas. It’s also not afraid to show a kink that may not be for everyone but definitely works between the main characters. The writing is very good, but what really shone here are the characterizations. The various cast members all have shades of interesting gray and it definitely hooked me to want to read more. The plot is somewhat complex – the best books usually are – but it revolves around 19 y/o Dilly wandering into a gay leather bar to try to understand his sudden cravings. His older brother has recently been arrested on rape charges and pictures of his BDSM tools make the news. Dilly is intrigued about these items and wonders how they’d feel so he heads to a gay bar to try to make it happen. There he meets 24 y/o Vin, a big bad Dom with a lot of issues. Although Vin is usually a play with them and leave them type of guy, he can’t help falling for Dilly. There are a lot of characters in this story but Dilly, later Dylan, and Vin are the main couple. They work well together as Vin is a sadist with big control issues while Dilly is lacking a lot of spine and wants to be controlled in just about every single way. Dilly doesn’t come across as weak so much as ineffectual and needing that kind of guidance in his life. Vin doesn’t seem over the top, perhaps a bit extreme, but his needs fit well with Dilly’s wants and desires. Together their sex life is hot and plentiful while they support and encourage each other. My only qualms with these two are that Vin seems much, much, much older than 24. I had a hard time reconciling his relatively young age with the fact that he’s had two, very serious, long-term relationships since he’s been an adult. That gives him no room to really mature considering the details of those relationships. I constantly thought Vin was in late 20’s or early 30’s. Also Dilly is pretty immature at 19 and while that’s not to say it can’t be true love, I expect he’ll grow and change over time. As for the secondary characters, they are very absorbing. To start with, Miss Dolphinia is remarkably fabulous while staying three-dimensional. She easily could have been a caricature but there’s some considerable depth and nuance to the character. This one impressed me quite a bit. She’s so well written and engaging. Unfortunately Dilly’s family is less well rounded but I appreciated the added dimension to them. They don’t feel rote or easy, but more so flawed in a very human, if aggravating, way. I did feel the resolution with the sister was too pat. It felt too easy considering everything and I didn’t really buy into her explanations for everything. That said, I really appreciated the considerable time spent on the family members to bring them to life. They’re not just pawns used to further the plot but essential people that have an affect on Dilly’s life and outlook. The writing is very good, though not always the cleanest. I liked the imagery used, but sometimes I couldn’t envision the scene or details very well as the language got a bit twisted on itself. I would have to stop and really work out the scene in my head, for example when Dilly’s crawling around putting the file together, because I couldn’t quite get the picture from reading. However, these are minor issues for me since the characterization and more intense plot smoothed over any problems. I enjoyed reading this a lot and would recommend it for both fans of the author and those new to Gala’s writing. I may not read this one again but I hope there are some future books with these characters, or a new couple in the same world. (less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| not set
| not set
|
Mar 27, 2013
| ebook
| |||||||||||||||
| Z., Cari
*
| 3.85
| 20
| Feb 08, 2012
| Feb 08, 2013
|
Episode 1 of Cari Z’s new serial Cambion is an explosive start. Heavens on Fire is a quick introduction to a new world and set of characters. It’s sho...more
Episode 1 of Cari Z’s new serial Cambion is an explosive start. Heavens on Fire is a quick introduction to a new world and set of characters. It’s short, filled with bite, and intriguing. It definitely left me wanting to read what happens next so this is a great first foray. Devon is a cambion, the product of a union between an incubus and a human female. He works for a bodyguard agency that has a super secret agenda to find and remove all evidence of demons from the world. We’re not given much background on this agency other than one of the owners clearly has a grudge and hatred for all things demon. Devon is sent into an underground sadist club to find and capture a well-known demon summoner, Porter Grey. Devon (of course) acts pretty recklessly and somewhat childishly right from the get-go and gets himself captured, necessitating an explosive rescue by the elusive Rio. The plot is very bare bones, information wise, and concentrates on setting up the main themes and important cast. No doubt more will weave in and out of the story, but so far Rio, Devon, Maria (their handler), and Porter are the important players. There’s some kind of relationship between Rio and Devon that’s not explained, though they’re fine having pretty hot sex together repeatedly. I’m pretty sure any information lacking in this opening short story will be given over the course of the entire series so it’s hard to criticize any weaker or still mysterious parts. The writing is engaging and very dramatic right from the start. At times I found the prose overly indulgent, giving details and mental side trips that feel more clever than necessary. Also, Devon struck me right off as childish and annoying with his antics. He grew on me later in his moments of vulnerability. Rio on the other hand is tall, dark, sexy, and mysterious so what’s not to adore already? I’ll be interested to get more background on Rio and Devon’s relationship and more about each man individually. Grey so far feels like a cliché super villain but I have faith in the author that he’ll turn into something interesting. As a first episode, Heavens on Fire did everything it should do. I was drawn into the world and the possibilities and honestly am excited to read more. It’s a little tough to wait for the next installment but here’s to hoping I can be patient. I’d recommend this to those readers who like their romance a little dark with a side of smoking hot supernatural. (less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| not set
| not set
|
Mar 26, 2013
| ebook
| ||||||||||||||||
| 9781937058982
| 3.00
| 7
| Mar 08, 2013
| Mar 08, 2013
|
Episode 2, Life of the Party, of the Immortal Symphony serial is intense and slightly uncomfortable. I had a hard time enjoying the story, since it’s...more
Episode 2, Life of the Party, of the Immortal Symphony serial is intense and slightly uncomfortable. I had a hard time enjoying the story, since it’s mostly one extended orgy scene, as it just felt wrong for the main character Gabriel. I didn’t feel like he had any comprehension what he was doing and furthermore, he kind of came off pretty innocent, naïve, and frankly stupid. I didn’t particularly like his character or his choices and thus I didn’t like this episode. It’s likely to be a highly personal choice I realize and I’m curious enough about the story to continue on even if I’m left feeling unsettled after this offering. Picking up where the last story left off, Gabriel arrives in Scotland to be Dorian’s plaything. Despite Michael’s (Gabriel’s dead ghostly twin) very real and logical objections, Gabriel is determined to think of nothing but sex for as long as it lasts. Right from the start I had some problems with Gabriel’s character. In the first episode we’re told he’s survived the death of his twin, which is sure to be a traumatic experience, and that he’s traveled the world surviving pretty well with his supernatural pursuits. To me, this would give Gabriel a certain level of sophistication and world awareness. If he’s managed to eke out a living, and attend college, wherever he goes and not end up a statistic somewhere, he has to be somewhat intelligent and capable. Yet he ignores Michael’s very sensible objections for no reason except to get laid. Some of this is easy to ignore and forgive, but as the story goes on Gabriel’s actions seem in contradiction. First Gabriel mentions several times that he’s not had many lovers, which fits with the new naïve persona that’s shown here, but Gabriel doesn’t really put up much argument against Dorian’s wild ways. He doesn’t come across as someone that would like that kind of partying at all, so why does he submit so easily? Gabriel seems almost as spineless and influenced as any other random lover Dorian takes, which negates any “special” quality Gabriel is supposed to have. Gabriel seems just as lost under Dorian’s power as anyone, going so far as to ignore his own intelligence and comfort levels. I also think this isn’t just my random reaction as the story goes so far as to acknowledge Gabriel’s actions as “too stupid to live.” So I’m left wondering why I should care about Gabriel as a character when he’s contradictory and not that bright. The main thrust of the story this time is all about Gabriel and his addiction to Dorian, going pretty far. I’m guessing the story is going to have Gabriel see something in Dorian no one else has seen and that makes him different but really it doesn’t fit either personality so far. It feels forced given Gabriel’s almost slave-like acceptance. I’m very curious to see how Gabriel reacts to the events that happened. I think that will make or break this serial for me. I love the concept of it but so far Gabriel’s turned me off. But again it’s a personal reaction that not everyone may have. I can still easily recommend this as it’s engaging, well written and different from almost everything else. It’s more than edgy and I can definitely appreciate that. I’d skim through the first book just so you know where things are at but this is pretty independent of the last one so far. (less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| not set
| not set
|
Mar 20, 2013
| ebook
| ||||||||||||||||
| 9781937058777
| 3.91
| 11
| Feb 08, 2013
| Feb 08, 2013
|
Overture is episode 1 of the new serial Immortal Symphony by K Piet and SL Armstrong. The story is a twist on the classic Dorian Gray tale and definit...more
Overture is episode 1 of the new serial Immortal Symphony by K Piet and SL Armstrong. The story is a twist on the classic Dorian Gray tale and definitely explores the sexual side. Dorian never ages, but instead the portrait of him ages. Over the centuries Dorian has indulged in base pleasures to banish the tedium of his life. Using the sexual power he has over others is the best drug he’s ever experienced. Dorian’s interest is piqued by an American named Gabriel and two chance meetings lead to a possible future. The first episode is nicely independent and sets up the main players of the story. There’s Dorian, who has apparently given up the ability to love and connect for everlasting beauty and immortality. Opposite the protagonist is Gabriel, the wide-eyed not so innocent chasing supernatural phenomenon all over the world, and his dead twin brother in astral form, Michael. Michael seems to exist mostly as a voice always accompanying Gabriel. Gabriel and Dorian meet and have wild sex that ends with an offer for Gabriel to live as Dorian’s well-paid plaything. Gabriel is so taken with Dorian, he wants to accept the offer regardless of some very obvious, very real red flags. Starting things off with a bang, literally, the story doesn’t shy away from the erotic nature of Dorian’s personality. There is a lot of sex in such a quick novella/short story and it highlights Dorian’s debauchery. He’s indiscriminate about partners, male or female, he’d probably fuck anything with a hole so there is m/m, m/f, f/m/m sex. Just about any combination you can make will likely show up in this series. So I’d say the story is definitely erotic but it has a plot and purpose. The sex doesn’t feel gratuitous but more so proving a point about Dorian’s character and needs. The main three men are just sketches at best instead of fully fleshed out characters but that’s to be expected. I didn’t particularly mind and there are more than enough hints about the past to intrigue me about these men. I especially appreciated the scenes showing Gabriel’s supernatural work, though I felt the church scene ended too abruptly and without closure. What happened there? Instead the story picks up several weeks after with a brief non-explanation. If this aspect is so important that it’s added in a novella where space is already limited, why did it stop mid-scene? I was left confused about what to think and how important a role this job will play. On the plus side, however, the writing is very engaging. It’s punchy and direct, not beating around the bush but almost in your face with its drama and eroticism. The authors aren’t trying to hide or allude to anything, the story is upfront and almost brutal at times. It makes me very curious about future episodes and how much they’ll hinge on the sexual aspect. I wonder how Gabriel and Dorian will interact and how their relationship will differ from the faceless, nameless throngs of “pets” that Dorian has gone through. As a first episode, it’s captured my attention and made me eager to read future installments. This is likely to appeal to those edgier readers who don’t mind a lot of sex of any kind and aren’t necessarily looking for a true love, happy ending match. It may happen but I don’t really see it. (less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| not set
| not set
|
Mar 18, 2013
| ebook
| ||||||||||||||||
| B009R8DHRE
| 3.93
| 932
| Mar 12, 2013
| Mar 12, 2013
|
I’d sum up Family Man as a feel good story. The two men have obstacles in their lives but really the power of family and acceptance makes everything o...more
I’d sum up Family Man as a feel good story. The two men have obstacles in their lives but really the power of family and acceptance makes everything ok. It doesn’t matter that one of the men was married three times before or the other is ten years younger and has an alcoholic mother, family will get you through anything seems to be the moral of the story. It’s a nice moral definitely and the couple is sweet with a nice combination of personalities. The relationship and especially the physical side are well developed and very genuine. It’s a well-written story with a ton of romance that makes you happy you read it. The plot is pretty familiar with closeted Vinnie, an almost 40-year old with three failed marriages and a huge Italian family. Vinnie decides after a chance encounter with a gay couple that maybe his problem with women is that he’s really into men. He decides to experiment a little and ends up with Trey, a 25-year old virgin who’s taking care of his grandmother and alcoholic mother while working two jobs and trying to get through school. Vin and Trey decide to take it slow and see how things go. This of course leads to some delicious courting with a side of family melodrama. First off the writing is very clean and well done. Of course the combination is two authors I quite like so that’s a bonus but despite the differing styles, the character voices come through earnestly. Vinnie is written in third person and he’s a guy you can’t help but love. Flawed, messed up, but genuine, he’s a great leading man. I can’t even begin to explain how much I loved him when he dressed up for his “not-date” and added a typical heavy gold chain. He’s such a stereotype for a big, manly Italian lover but balanced with his desires and fears. I didn’t really buy the change in bed, which seems more like a forced departure of his personality than a realistic and vulnerable side. On the other side there is Trey, whose perspective is written in first person. It’s a bit jarring jumping between first and third as the story alternates between narrators. Just as I’m settling into Trey’s first person narration, the story switches. I found the third person narration easier and more fluid while Trey’s stutters more with stops and starts. That could be a reflection of the character himself and while I very much appreciated seeing his side of things, I also found myself pulled from the story frequently in his chapters. Trey is a great character in and of himself, vulnerable, scared, and strong trying to hold everything together with a deep and justified hidden well of emotions. Together Trey and Vin are extremely hot. I loved their courting, the slow simmer to romance and sex. Too often couples jump into bed together immediately but here there is a build up, a gradual progression from a hot first kiss to love making. Since the story is mostly internal drama with a side of family dysfunction, this buildup keeps the relationship and story itself moving. The high point is a bit rushed, something even the characters themselves acknowledge, but it’s sweet and like I’ve said, it’s a feel good move. Family Man is a solid joint effort from the authors and one that fans will very likely enjoy. It’s not something especially memorable, outside of a pretty fabulous cast of secondary characters, but I’m glad I read it and can easily recommend it. (less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| not set
| not set
|
Mar 12, 2013
| Kindle Edition
| ||||||||||||||||
| 0307931544
| 9780307931542
| 3.41
| 1,102
| Feb 26, 2013
| Feb 26, 2013
|
I enjoyed reading Dualed but towards the end the numerous problems in the book just compounded to the point I was happy it was finally over. Which is...more
I enjoyed reading Dualed but towards the end the numerous problems in the book just compounded to the point I was happy it was finally over. Which is sad because I was thoroughly engaged and entertained for most of the book until the flaws overwhelmed the story. There are a lot of things to like about this, which are mostly about the concept, but sadly in the end I just didn’t even like the main character let alone care that she’s the one that survives. I’ll probably read the next one depending on what the premise is. Dualed is a pretty classic, and in some ways predictable, dystopian YA book. West is 15 y/o and living in a world where procreation is strictly controlled. For reasons that make absolutely no sense whatsoever, every child is born with a genetic twin and between the ages of 10 and 20, those twins will have to fight to the death with one emerging as the victor. For starters the world building is confusing and contradictory at best. It’s a typical dystopian world sure so I didn’t mind but the rules that govern the people don’t really make any sense. Supposedly there was a cold vaccine that made everyone infertile so war broke out. Then a small group fortified a huge city and decided that children and teenagers should fight to the death to prove their worth. It’s a twist on previous themes but without any real motivation. At least other books had a reason, however thin. So anyway West loses her entire family through a series of accidents happening off-page and then gets her assignment to kill her genetic twin, called an Alt. Instead of facing her Alt, she runs off and tries to hide, going through an existential crisis about her worth. In the beginning of the book, West is introduced as an embittered, tough, stubborn as a mule, know-it-all. She lectures others about the importance of keeping the advantage and going after your Alt immediately. So it’s no real surprise that she does the exact opposite and runs for the entire length of the novel. Not surprising, but annoying all the same. While in hiding she becomes an assassin, called a striker. This is a weird and unnecessary side trip. As a striker, she’s hired to kill other people’s Alts. So instead of killing her own, she’s decided that she’ll get better at killing by killing several other people first. Supposedly this doesn’t happen often enough for the government to care but judging by the number of kills West makes in a month, there’s no way that’s reasoning holds. But again, a lot of the reasoning and logic is flimsy so you kind of have to just go with it. Anyway West spends all this unnecessary time killing other people pretty easily and trying to hide from the only family she has left, her brother’s best friend Chord. Of course West thinks she knows better so she can’t have help, she has to protect Chord by being mean to him. The only real reason this assassin business is added is to lengthen the book. It has no real connection to the characters and doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. It’s not that any of this is bad per se, though it’s so tired it makes my head hurt. It’s just that West is never a character I could root for or even care about. She spends way too much time whining and hiding for no real reason. There’s no genuine confusion about her skills and the long drawn out wait feels manufactured at best. Yet there is some real contradiction to her character. She’s a professional assassin that kills people very easily, but makes some really obvious mistakes. Not the kind of mistakes that make a character more interesting but the kind that made me roll my eyes. For most of the book I could forgive this and enjoy the concept of the story but especially at the end West makes so many mistakes I found her too stupid to live and hoped the Alt would win. This is a great concept that needed to be fleshed out more. It feels too thin, too quick and not enough polish. A lot of the reasoning offered just makes no sense and is flat out contradictory. The characters all feel transitory. There’s nothing wrong with a sense of danger and that the main characters could possibly die, but this book doesn’t feel like that. It feels like the characters are sketches without the real depth added yet. For all this I did enjoy reading it as I like the genre and the concept. It was just at the end that there are too many straws for this camel’s back. (less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| Mar 10, 2013
| Mar 14, 2013
|
Mar 10, 2013
| Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
| 4.20
| 5
| Oct 15, 2012
| Oct 15, 2012
|
I was intrigued by the blurb and not sure what to expect. This isn’t romance, more like a murder mystery, yet very absorbing. In fact I practically sp...more
I was intrigued by the blurb and not sure what to expect. This isn’t romance, more like a murder mystery, yet very absorbing. In fact I practically sped-read it wanting to find out what happens. While the writing is very good and the concept unique and eye-catching, I’m not sure what I think of the story as a whole. It’s fascinating and makes you think, so for that alone I’d recommend it. However I didn’t always like the characters or like the book itself, probably the actions themselves that turned me off more than anything. I’m glad I read this but wouldn’t read it again. Without going into too much detail or giving away any spoilers, the plot revolves around Zach Taylor, a successful businessman about to have a very bad day. Zach is in the middle of delicate negotiations with a high profile account he’s trying to land and he’s willing to go to any lengths to make the deal happen, even if it means sleeping with the executive. However when Zach wakes up the next morning, he has no memory of the night before or where the suddenly missing executive could be. Complicating matters, Zach comes to find out that he’s the biological son of a serial murder and is worried that such evil may be passed down. To start, the concept and execution are very well done. The murder mystery and question of both Zach’s sanity and his capabilities – is he a murderer too? – are engaging and absorbing from the start. The story keeps you guessing about what really happened, how it all happened, and what it all means. There aren’t really enough clues, in my opinion, to figure out the numerous twists before they happen. The story does explain everything and show how each event really happened, connecting so many seeming coincidences in an elegant way. Yet I never guessed any twist. I simply had to be along for the ride, wide eyed at each new turn. Part of this is due to the superior writing. The prose is crisp and while not entirely clean, it does offer a real sense of drama and emotion. The writing sets a wonderfully creepy tone with just a few well-chosen words. I was horrified and fascinated from start to finish. The characters are well developed, even though most are purposefully kept somewhat vague. The point of the story is never to fully know any character because none of them really truly know themselves either. The narrator, Zach, is struggling to figure out exactly who and what he is so the reader likewise is taking the same journey. I only had a few qualms with this well written and decidedly creepy story. The first is that the story never really explores why Zach was given up for adoption/foster care. Given the later revelations about his parents, I never understood the reasoning. The second is that while I quite appreciated the late in the story twist regarding what really happened when Zach was a kid, it never rang quite true. In some ways it’s a stroke of genius that I never saw coming – though I admit I should have, but I was too absorbed in the story itself. But this twist also never really fits with existing information. My final issue is that the actions and sometimes gruesome details bothered me. This is an entirely personal reaction and it always happens whenever particularly cruel or bloody deaths are described. Despite these few issues, the story is very interesting and worth reading. It’s not quite what I expected, though I don’t think I even knew what to expect. I find Knight’s writing to be engaging and always thought provoking . The editing is a bit haphazard and I noticed several mistakes but they didn’t detract from my reading enjoyment as I could easily figure out what the story meant to say. While unreliable narrators can sometimes be a bit stressful to read, never knowing what is real, I find this one definitely kept my attention. I truly wanted to know what would happen and how it would play it out. I’d recommend it to murder mystery m/m fans (there are graphic sex scenes) as I’m glad I read it but I wouldn’t want to revisit this creepy tale. (less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| not set
| not set
|
Mar 10, 2013
| ebook
| |||||||||||||||||
| 9781623001926
| 3.87
| 258
| Jan 29, 2013
| Jan 29, 2013
|
I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed this quick novella. It’s incredibly hot, interesting, and a lot of fun. The writing is clean and descriptive with a...more
I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed this quick novella. It’s incredibly hot, interesting, and a lot of fun. The writing is clean and descriptive with a nice blending of instruction and emotion. Blending an alien world and culture with a human submissive is a fun idea but the story is very clever. From start to the finish the entire novella is well crafted. The characters are also well developed, even if the differences in cultures are sometimes hard to imagine. This is a great introduction for those new to this author and fans are likely to appreciate the quirky humor and excellent writing. Liam is a soldier who’s been ill-treated most of his life. His submissive tendencies have led him to be raped, abused, misused, and abandoned. His needs, wants, and sexual desires have only given him pain so he has survived by trying to bury this nature very deep within. He lives a happy enough life learning the culture and language of the Rownt. After a particularly bad trade with his favorite trader Ondry, Liam’s life is about to change. He wakes up to find himself chained and claimed by Ondry. The lessons are just beginning for both men. The story is just a quick novella but I have to say I devoured it in one sitting. I easily could have read more about these two as they figure out their differences and mutual pleasures. Liam is a wonderful character, flawed and damaged as he struggles with demons from his past. These collide with his true submissive nature and leave him grasping for truth and someone he can rely on. Liam’s struggle to come to terms with Ondry and the reality of his situation feel genuine. It’s easy to sympathize with his pain and sense of loss and then cheer for him as he realizes Ondry is the kind of dominant he always wanted. I truly enjoyed the alien culture and world. Enough details are offered to help fill out the world but not too many to distract from the focus. Given the shorter length, the balance is perfect between world building and relationship dynamics. Both could have used more space and likely would have gotten it in a longer novel but for this novella, it works very well. The different concepts brought up are insightful and interesting while the conversations Liam and Ondry have while figuring out how to communicate are engaging and entertaining; especially when it comes to sex. Hopefully Gala will return to this culture and world as it’s too interesting to ignore. The Rownt aren’t really sexual creatures, well not sex for pleasure, so there are only a few erotic scenes. However, those more than make up for any lack as the sex is incredibly hot, it even involves tails. There is very little I can complain about in this novella and I thoroughly enjoyed it. More please! (less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| Mar 04, 2013
| Mar 05, 2013
|
Mar 04, 2013
| ebook
| ||||||||||||||||
| 1619214717
| 9781619214712
| 3.86
| 375
| Feb 12, 2013
| Feb 12, 2013
|
I like Josephine Myles’ work quite a bit and Screwing the System is easily one of my favorites from her. The writing is clean, crisp, and evocative an...more
I like Josephine Myles’ work quite a bit and Screwing the System is easily one of my favorites from her. The writing is clean, crisp, and evocative and the characters are engaging from the start. The sex is incredibly hot and the relationship is pretty low key. I found a few easy coincidences that I could have done without but beyond these there are very few, if any, missteps. Instead it’s a fun and interesting story to read without a lot of drama or problems. There’s no big drama and end scene, which is actually nice, and maturity wins the day. The story is very internally driven. The main focus is on the relationship and working towards a happy ever after declaration. Alasdair is a self made man. He’s worked his way up on his own and now owns a sanitary business. Cosmo is an aspiring musician and hopes to live on unemployment benefits a little while longer. He’s trying to get his band off the ground and doesn’t want to be bothered with working a boring day job. Cosmo’s grand plan is to fail his interview with Alasdair and go back to his music. But the sparks fly immediately as they meet and Cosmo and Alasdair end up with a very different proposition in mind. The D/s element is pretty mild but present. There’s very little BDSM, some spanking and such but nothing very rough or extreme. The D/s element suits the main characters’ personalities very well. It allows Alasdair to create some structure and control in Cosmo’s life while Cosmo retains his individuality and creativity, and yes even his bratty attitude. Both men are well drawn with a lot of layers and nuance. They feel genuine and realistic with their own problems and needs but nothing too easy or too conflicting. The age difference isn’t given much attention and seems irrelevant from the narrative’s perspective but I do think Cosmo’s immaturity will cause problems. He grows up a bit over the few weeks but nothing substantial. By the end Alasdair is still mostly paying for Cosmo to live with him and happy to do so. On the other side Alasdair shows a level of common sense and maturity that’s clearly needed to make the relationship work. He offers patience and understanding to Cosmo’s knee jerk reactions. Alasdair feels a little too perfect as he never really makes any big mistakes. That’s not bad but he always seems to say and do the perfect thing. Even when he takes a chance, it all ends up ok. I thought the final scene with his rich friend was a bit over the top. The kind of total life change Alasdair thinks he needs seems too extreme and not fitting his personality. Though that scene is one of the few things I had a problem with in the novel. The rich friend’s response I thought was just too easy. Likewise the other coincidences – Cosmo’s nan, the band members – I could do without. I would have preferred another way of weaving in the potential drama. Of course nothing really materializes as big issue or any kind of confrontation. Instead the two gradually work towards declaring their love and commitment to each other. It’s not the ending I was expecting but I can appreciate the lack of drama. Aside from this minor issue, I really quite enjoyed StS. It’s well written with some incredibly smoking hot sex scenes and interesting characters. The writing is clean and engaging. While the story doesn’t take any risks it’s an easy one to recommend for both fans of the authors and those new to her writing. It may not be one I’d read again but I’m very glad I read it and look forward to any stories revisiting these two. (less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| Feb 21, 2013
| Mar 04, 2013
|
Feb 21, 2013
| ebook
| |||||||||||||||
| 1937551210
| 9781937551216
| 3.76
| 58
| Feb 06, 2012
| Feb 06, 2012
|
Interesting story but kind of weird. Not sure what to think...
| Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| not set
| not set
|
Feb 21, 2013
| ebook
| |||||||||||||||
| 0399256768
| 9780399256769
| 4.32
| 11,540
| Jan 29, 2013
| Jan 29, 2013
|
None
| Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| not set
| not set
|
Feb 21, 2013
| Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
| 1613722788
| 9781613722787
| 3.96
| 278
| Dec 20, 2011
| Dec 21, 2011
|
This is the second Rowan book I realized I hadn’t read so eagerly dove into this pseudo sequel. It’s a short novella that offers a glimpse into the ch...more
This is the second Rowan book I realized I hadn’t read so eagerly dove into this pseudo sequel. It’s a short novella that offers a glimpse into the characters from A Note in the Margin, which I loved to pieces. It’s nice to see the main characters again although there doesn’t feel like tremendous progress has been made. Instead it’s a holiday themed story that lets readers revisit favorites without really changing anything. The relationship dynamic between all the characters remains largely the same without much deviation. Fans of the novel will likely want to read this to enjoy the couple once more but it’s not a must read. In the twelve days prior to Christmas, Jamie decides it’s time to get into the Christmas spirit. Although Christmas in Australia means no snow and hot temperatures, Jamie wants to decorate the shop and do the holiday right. David initially agrees and tries to create a hand drawn advent calendar but memories of his son and the holiday overwhelm him. John does his best to support his partner but he has his own memories and past that weigh on him. Although the story doesn’t feel heavy, it’s not necessarily a light weight read. The issues brought up and the characters themselves are dealing with heavier problems than easy, breezy holiday fun. David is very much the same character from the novel with his coping problems and mental illness. It’s hard to see much progress but perhaps that’s the point. Likewise John remains the constant support for David, always forgiving and understanding. There’s a brief glimpse into John’s past but it’s negligible. In fact, I’d forgotten how that information connected to John from the main novel. Interestingly this story almost focuses more on Jamie than any other character. He’s the driving force and the sort of “glue” that holds the three of them together. There’s a small love interest for Jamie but that seems to go nowhere. It could have been eliminated entirely though it adds some levity to the otherwise darker tone. The writing once again is lush without being overdrawn and has a simple, elegance to the prose that sucks you in from the start. I’d be interested in reading a fully fleshed out sequel but only if the characters make some significance progress. Otherwise these small interludes are nice additions. (less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| not set
| not set
|
Feb 18, 2013
| ebook
| |||||||||||||||
| 1937551369
| 9781937551360
| 3.44
| 210
| May 07, 2012
| May 07, 2012
|
3.5 stars Anne Brooke always impresses me. I quite literally love her writing. There’s a sophistication and refinement to the clean, sparse prose that...more 3.5 stars Anne Brooke always impresses me. I quite literally love her writing. There’s a sophistication and refinement to the clean, sparse prose that sets her apart. In fact I enjoyed reading the writing more so than the story itself, which wasn’t slacking. The theme of pain is one that Brooke has dabbled in before and intense concepts are truly her forte. Love, longing, need, desire, and characters that are anything but easy combine to offer a deeply moving yet still light story. I didn’t walk away depressed or depleted from an angst ridden story. Instead the quick story manages to be hopeful and inject laughter amid the intensity. Adrian is a very successful escort and has been for five years. He’s happy living a good life and indulging in luxuries he wouldn’t have otherwise been able to afford. This includes being able to study multiple subjects that catch his interest. So when his boss, Max, asks Adrian to do him a favor and see a family member, Adrian is quick to agree. Dan is physically and emotionally scarred from a tragic accident that destroyed not only his face but also his future. Dan is stuck in an angry rut and expects nothing good to come of his time with Adrian. Slowly the two men come to an understanding that is surprising for both. The emotions that develop have the potential to change both men’s lives. Coming in at only 40 pages, I was surprised at the level of emotion and intensity the author managed to pack into the short story. The characters are brief sketches out of necessity but feel complicated enough to work. The relationship between Adrian and Dan is nicely developed though it feels a little rushed. I didn’t quite feel the same level of connection between the characters as Adrian’s thoughts indicated. Likewise I wasn’t entirely sure what prompted Adrian to make the decisions he did during his conversation with Max. However I think these are minor concerns mostly due to the short length and don’t really affect the enjoyment of the story. I would like to see more of these two and any others in the “stable” of escorts that Max runs, not to mention more depth to Max himself. Overall I’m pretty pleased with this short story due to the excellent writing, drama without being overwhelmingly intense, and engaging characters. The themes of pain, need, and longing are woven into the story in many different ways and skillfully deployed to add depth and nuance to even this short length. I’m pretty impressed with the level of skill displayed, but honestly I know to expect that from this author. I’d easily recommend this to newcomers and fans alike. (less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| not set
| not set
|
Feb 14, 2013
| ebook
| |||||||||||||||
| 1623800560
| 9781623800567
| 3.47
| 57
| Oct 03, 2012
| Oct 03, 2012
|
I was in the mood for some Isabelle Rowan excellent writing so went cruising to see if I’d missed any books. I found two I hadn’t read so far and this...more
I was in the mood for some Isabelle Rowan excellent writing so went cruising to see if I’d missed any books. I found two I hadn’t read so far and this was the first I dove into. I like the story and characters, it’s sweet and thankfully not the classic best friends turned lovers. Instead it focuses on the road to maturity for a young adult. The story feels short and rushed in some places but I also appreciated the shorter length. The story would have been much more intense and darker if it was longer and delved more deeply into the brief issues covered. Instead I like the quick romance and surface treatment of abuse. It’s not a slam dunk of a story but I was entertained and glad I read it. The story revolves around newly graduated 18 y/o Matt and his best friend Craig. The two decide to go on a road trip before college and Craig brings along his girlfriend Kelly. Matt is gay and has been in love with Craig for a while but knows nothing will happen. Luckily he meets sexy Damien on the road and sparks fly. There’s just one small detail in that Matt has never told Craig he’s gay. First I have to say Rowan’s writing is clean, crisp, and engaging from start to finish. There is a subtle Aussie flair to the writing but nothing overdone and it’s obviously organic. I quite like this feel and keeps me interested even when the story doesn’t. Matt’s characterization is the most developed by far, followed by a deep examination of his friendship to Craig. Matt is far from perfect and in many ways is very immature and young. Though his mom died when he was young (I think?) Matt has never had a boyfriend or even a real sexual encounter. He clings to his friendship with Craig like a lifeline, a need and desire for stability that is reciprocated deeply in Craig. I appreciate the author’s choice very much to keep these two as brothers and friends and instead find romantic love in other people. The other cast is slightly more problematic. They’re all adorable and fun to read about, no doubt, but they have little of the same depth as Matt and to some extent, Craig. Damien is more of an idea of a person than a fully fleshed out individual and the two female roles, while positive and engaging, exist to support and nurture Matt and Damien’s relationship. Likewise there are some very serious and deep issues brought up over the course of the story but they are handled very lightly. Craig is from an abusive home and the systematic beatings from his father have an obvious and very serious impact on both Craig and Matt. Similarly the death of Matt’s mother must have changed both boys. However the story doesn’t really go into detail here and keeps it very superficial. Instead the focus is on Matt’s internal conflict and his fears. I noted the problems, but also realize the somewhat lighter, easy tone of the story would have altered dramatically if these issues were truly developed. So I could and did enjoy the story despite these drawbacks and even appreciated the lighter touch. Combined with the excellent writing and this is an easy to read, fun story. Matt as a character would likely grate on my nerves if this went on any longer, mired in indecision, fear, and immaturity but this is also forgivable considering his age and inexperience. I’m not convinced their relationship is true love but I did like the ending. Fans of the author will probably like this one and those new to the author will get a good feel for the writing and tone. I’d recommend it. (less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| not set
| not set
|
Feb 12, 2013
| ebook
| |||||||||||||||
| B00522V6DQ
| 4.30
| 18,235
| Feb 14, 2012
| May 21, 2011
|
None
| Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| Feb 11, 2013
| Feb 21, 2013
|
Feb 11, 2013
| Kindle Edition
| ||||||||||||||||
| 1426895127
| 9781426895128
| 3.94
| 36
| unknown
| Feb 25, 2013
|
Promises Made Under Fire reminds me why I adore this author so much. The gentle tone and excellent writing always gives me a sense of deep romance wit...more
Promises Made Under Fire reminds me why I adore this author so much. The gentle tone and excellent writing always gives me a sense of deep romance without any explicit sex. I think the historical setting and slower pace help develop a deeper sentiment without ever feeling slow or boring. There’s not always a happy ending, but I love Cochrane’s writing so much I can always get over this minor point. I don’t always look for historical books but this is one of the very few authors I know will deliver an excellent book regardless of it’s time period or characters. The short novella revolves around young officer Tom Donald during the war. He is struggling with the endless fighting and feeling of hopelessness and enjoys the optimism of fellow officer Frank Foden. Tom lives vicariously through the letters Frank receives from his mother and wife, Veronica. Soon though Frank is tragically killed, leaving behind a few short requests for Tom. Frank asked Tom to visit his mother and deliver a letter to a friend, Ronnie. Tom discovers that the letters Frank was receiving were all part of an illusion to hide the truth that his real lover was Ronnie. Once again the writing is the real star of the piece. The atmosphere and carefully selected language immediately set the tone. Likewise the included letters bring another level of effective nuance and intimacy. The wording feels deliberate and helps bring the time and ambiance of the war to life. It creates complex characters through their own desires but also the time period and seemingly never ending war. There’s a feeling of being afraid to hope for a future yet wanting one at the same time. All of the characters have depth and even in occasional bitterness or prejudice there’s a feeling of complexity. I feel as though there is so much more to the characters than we see and their brief appearances are only the tip of a much bigger well. I credit the writing quite a bit for developing such a deeper feel than what’s on the surface. I enjoyed watching the romance between Tom and Ronnie grow through letters, as must have been common at the time. Tom appears much more jaded and mature than his young age of 23 though. Likewise Ronnie seems considerably older than Tom. The story does a commendable job showing how they’re suited to each other, which considering Frank was no doubt the same age, but still Ronnie comes across much older than whatever his actual age is. I also questioned somewhat the romance between Tom and Ronnie. Tom seems somewhat desperate to finally be with someone and have his affection reciprocated while Ronnie is happy simply to not be alone. This leads to the happy for now, ambiguous ending. While both claimed to be in love, there were no real plans to be together. I wasn’t really bothered by this and have learned to expect it from this author but some might not like the ending. Overall I quite enjoyed this short story, though it doesn’t rank among my favorites from Cochrane nor is it one I’d necessarily read again. I’m happy I read it though if for no other reason than to remind me how much I enjoy her writing. It definitely makes me want to read more of the author’s backlist. (less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| not set
| not set
|
Feb 10, 2013
| ebook
|
Loading...
