How can I explain my feelings about KA books? When I love them I really, really love them. With her books, sometimes I cant stand the heroines- those...moreHow can I explain my feelings about KA books? When I love them I really, really love them. With her books, sometimes I cant stand the heroines- those books I really hate- sometimes I love both Hero and Heroine and I usually always love the hero in all her books, in fact, too much. It’s their stories that become the hardest for me weirdly enough and I’ll explain why.
I’ve been reading romance for a long, long time. It is and will always be my first love in reading. But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve expanded my reading horizons and I’ve come to appreciate and even anticipate a wide variety of genres. Yes even depressing literary.
So when I go back to romance I enjoy it for the escape. So what’s this got to do with KA’s heroes?
She writes them so good that it yanks me out of the escape and makes me feel too much. She writes them so exactly like I want a man to be, I get depressed because I cant find a man like that and that’s so wrong. Or it makes me think of the one time I had it, but then had it taken away from me. Things I’ve moved on from a long time ago.
In effect, it becomes the male equivalent of the fake boobed, fake blond, plastic porn star women who are on sexually all the time. Some men watch so much of it they think that’s the way real woman are- or should be- and it makes them unable to enjoy a relationship with a real woman. I realized after reading Creed that I’m falling into the female version of it and that her books have become emotional porn to me. Interesting because I certainly read or have read books that are far more erotic and easily considered pornographic in a classic sense and I have no problems with them. Probably because its all physical and no heart, now that I think about it and that's business I can take care of on my own, if need be. ;)
Add to that her perfect HEA + babies epiloges? Ugh. I'm done.
So yeah, think I’m gonna have to break up with KA books- it’s not you, it’s me.
As for Creed the book? His and Sylvie’s story is steamy, anxty romance at it’s best. Seriously, you’ll love their story- one that started way back when they were kids.
Reviews seemed all across the board on this one, so I wasnt sure what to think going in. I ended up really liking it. We finally see a softening of Za...moreReviews seemed all across the board on this one, so I wasnt sure what to think going in. I ended up really liking it. We finally see a softening of Zacharel- the warrior angel leading a fallen band of brothers, introduced in the author's Lords of the Underworld series- as well as his backstory.
Annabelle, his heroine, wow what a story she has and yet she remained strong through it. (I sensed a little of Whedonverse in her pathos- never a bad thing.)
Their story of finding each other over the source of all her trouble actually hooked me early on- yes me who is so jaded by overused plotlines and scenarios- and I actually ended being surprised by the ending. (Not sure why, when I should have seen it coming a mile awhile, but I missed it.)
This book begins Showalter's new series about a group of warrior angels, darkened by pain and fallen from grace whom, I suspect, are about to be redeemed by love.
So yes, an excellent first outing for a news series.(less)
Hard to grade this one- where as most of it was totally amazing, there is the beginning and the end that pulls it down for me because really, the best...moreHard to grade this one- where as most of it was totally amazing, there is the beginning and the end that pulls it down for me because really, the best part of the story is when the protags were chasing down a killer- which only happens in the middle of the story, oddly enough. (The beginning and ending is almost another story all together!)
Bestselling The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo begins with investigative journalist Mikael Blomkvist being hung out to dry for a piece he wrote that went horribly wrong. Through much of the beginning and to a lesser extent, the ending when Blomkvist gets his revenge for the happenings in the beginning, my eyes began to cross at the seemingly pointless blahdy blah blah of Larrson explaining how Blomkvist got into his current predicament.
But really it was Blomkvist's desire to hide away from his circumstances that made him accept a job offer from eccentric former captain of industry, Henrik Vanger- a frail old man haunted by the disappearance of a long gone relative- that brings us to the exciting part. So I guess I can make the bridge as to why it began the way it did.
Meanwhile we get to meet Lisbeth Salander, a brilliant but socially awkward researcher for a private investigator, who just happens to be assigned the task of investigating Blomkvist for the Vanger family. She’s secretive, sullen, punked out, and- of course- tatooed , but she does a helluva job. However, she finds herself distracted from her assignment when her guardianship is changed and taken over by a loathsome individual. (An individual on whom she exacts some spectacular revenge! At this point in the novel, I literally sat up, bug-eyed then dug in and didn’t look up till my eyelids refused to stay open late into the night!)
Indeed it was this insight into her character the ignites the novel and doesn’t let up until the ending, especially when she eventually joins Blomkvist covertly re-investigating the mystery surrounding Vanger's beloved niece's death under the guise of writing his familys’ checkered history.
Murder, intrigue, sex and violence- what more can you ask for in a mystery-thriller? It’s no surprise this little beauty been hitting the must read/bestseller lists for forever now. (Btw, this part of the story totally reminded me of a Criminal Minds episode, one of my favorite shows!)
Through his body of work, Larsson brutally exposes obvious purveying attitudes of violence toward women and antisemitism... attitudes being swept under the carpet of Swedish society. I love how he boldly empowers Lisabeth in a way few women would have the intelligence and courage to pull off, yet wraps her in a vulnerability that many woman can relate to. The second protag, Blomkvist, is a man-ho to be sure, but something about his innate nobility makes him extremely likeable too.
If it wasn’t for the slooooooow beginning I would have totally given this a 5 star. But I more than really liked it- so lets split the difference with 4.5 out of 5! :) (less)
Once again a great edition to Ilona Andrew’s Kate Daniels series!
Kate Daniels world is almost post apocalyptic- okay it is post-apocalyptic but not be...moreOnce again a great edition to Ilona Andrew’s Kate Daniels series!
Kate Daniels world is almost post apocalyptic- okay it is post-apocalyptic but not because two enemies dropped bombs and ravaged the planet. Nope, for thousands of years magic was repressed and technology ruled. Then magic came back- with a vengeance and now it hits in waves taking out tech with it. So when a wave of magic hits, cars stop running, buildings crumble, and forests take over. Along with the first wave of magic supernatural beings came to the forefront- Hence we have vamps (but different then we're used to) wizards and shifters running all over the place. (Think of it like the time of the world of Merlin suddenly taking over - violently.)
Now that Kate has quit her job with the ambiguously good Order of the Merciful Aid she’s having a difficult time acquiring clients for her new investigative agency, Cutting Edge. So when Master of the Dead (one who can control vampires), Ghastik, asks her assistance in capturing a rogue vamp- she jumps on it.
Bad enough a vamp is running around out of control- even worse the reason behind it. A new order is behind it and its fanatical about its mission. If Kate cant stop them now, many lives will be at stake- those of complete strangers, but also of every one she’s come to care about, including her mate. It will take the combined effort of magic and beast and an uneasy alliance to pull it off. But is this battle the signal of an even bigger war?
Although not my favorite in the series- I loved Magic Slays, because finally this world is starting to make sense! What’s carried the Kate Daniels Series thus far has been the fantastic characters and now that they are established, the world building can coalesce. As I’ve mentioned before on discussion threads, it took awhile to grasp what all was happening because the first book was so vague about its world- building. (However, I sense that it had more to do with word count than any fault of the writers’ craft. My guess is publishers idea of how big the book should be to make more sales caused some excising at the expense of explaining what all was going on.)
Yep, I get it now and it’s making the series even more enjoyable! (less)
I read it fast and found it hard to put down- indication of a good book for me. I noticed many who've read it already, had issues with Vlad- impaler t...moreI read it fast and found it hard to put down- indication of a good book for me. I noticed many who've read it already, had issues with Vlad- impaler that he is- but really, that is his moniker you cant make 'em all sweet and anxty. ;)
Besides, he really isnt as bad as all that- at least he relegated his impaling to vamps who'd survive none-the-less...
Liked how sexy he and Leila were together- frakin got all hot during the shower scene- and how he helped her grow in her gift. Yes there's a big bad after Vlad and Leila gets in the middle of it because of her gift. But they end up getting their guy- sorta. Srsly, it's a fun read. You should try it if you read paranormal romance.
It's a "to be continued" story and I'll def. be reading on!(less)
In Magic Strikes, Kate attempts to extricate her friends from a pack-politically charged situation by entering a gladiator style game that has been co...moreIn Magic Strikes, Kate attempts to extricate her friends from a pack-politically charged situation by entering a gladiator style game that has been condemned by the beast-lord Curran. Meanwhile, Curran is making his intentions of wooing her known to everyone, altho only slightly more subtly to her.
Balancing keeping him at bay- on numerous fronts- is proving to be difficult, much more so then getting to the root of the trouble simmering under the surface of the games because it looks like the person behind it, is someone she knows much more intimately then anyone guesses.
With more insight into the characters that populate this series, Magic Strikes steps it up a notch in intensity as Kate Daniels, long afraid of any emotional entanglement, not only lets down her guard around friends she knows she shouldn’t have but also with the one creature she knows she shouldn’t want.
Finally things are starting to gel for me in this series, both with understanding the characters and what makes them tick as well as the world building. Like everyone else, I love the chemistry between Kate and her crew, the witty banter, and the fight scenes are top notch, albeit bloody. Not as long a novel as you might expect, I was disappointed there wasn’t more. However, there’s now two more books in the series after this one, so I wont rack the authors too much for it! ;)
4 out of 5. Really diggin Curran, Kate and the rest of the pack! (less)
A quick read, Magic Burns, the second offering in Ilona Andrews’s popular Kate Daniels Urban Fantasy series, is action packed and full of characters....moreA quick read, Magic Burns, the second offering in Ilona Andrews’s popular Kate Daniels Urban Fantasy series, is action packed and full of characters.
The gist of the tale is simple on the surface: Kate finds herself in the middle of danger- once again- when she finds a young girl who is looking for her missing mother while tracking a mysterious assassin making trouble for the shifters and vamps. Magic is very much its own character as it flares up at unexpected moments and causes chaos for everyone it seems but our gutsy heroine who apparently feeds on it. (hmmm interesting??)
But of course, nothing is ever simple in Kate's world- so the man you think is the bad guy isnt really bad at all...much, anyway.
The epic battle at the end between an evil god and his minions and well, everyone else, was certainly a page turner- but that’s because Curran was involved. :P Otherwise, this one was so-so for me. Funny but I almost liked Magic Bites better because, dagnabit, other than the end, there just wasn’t enough Curran! (Hmpf) (And I felt MB wasnt even all that great, so that's sayin something. It wasnt bad, just not that great.)
Well that’s out of the way, now I can finally get to Magic Strikes- which everyone tells me is when it starts ramping up! I'm looking forward to it! :P (less)
More of a 3 and half star really. Although I did like Magic Bites, it suffered from freshman-itis. The world building was a bit convoluted and difficu...moreMore of a 3 and half star really. Although I did like Magic Bites, it suffered from freshman-itis. The world building was a bit convoluted and difficult to nail down, but that's mostly because its an intricate world Andrew's building and one like no other. (I also get the feeling the book was reedited for page count with, unfortunately, world building becoming the bloody casualty.)
Still the tale of Kate Daniels and her search for the being that not only killed a beloved friend but also is cutting a bloody path thru magical beings to set himself up for some mighty twisted power intrigued me.
Kate is a strong UF lead with a clear voice. I like her but the one I'm truly curious about is the Beast Lord Curran.
I think this little display taking place between Kate, the Beast Lord and a young wolf shifter under his authority pretty much sums why I dig him. (Derek, a wolf shifter and friend to Kate, has been healing from a bad wound and needs to eat because of the energy it takes to heal. Kate sets some left over fried rice in front of him and wants him to eat right now- pack rules says he doesnt eat till his alpha is thru....)
"The Beast Lord scraped the bottom of his container, licked the spoon, reached over and took away Derek's rice replacing it with the brown paper sack he had brought. Derek glanced into the sack and retrieved a bundle of waxed paper tied with a chord. He snapped the chord and unwrapped the bundle. A five pound shoulder roast looked back at him.
Curran jerked his head toward the hallway. "Dont make a spectacle of yourself."
Derek rose, gathering the roast and disappeared into the depths of the apartment. I glared at Curran.
"I like fried rice," he said with a shrug. He slid the spoon under the paper flaps of the other small paper box, forced them open, and proceeded to pick out the peas.
The low rumble of a predator feeding came from within the apartment.
"Keep it down," Curran said without raising his voice.
The snarling died.
"So what do you have?"~ Magic Bites , Ilona Andrews
So many authors, well non-authors too, think a person who bullys and belittles, ruling with fear is the sign of an alpha leader. I've always maintained A true alpha doesnt have to raise his/her voice or use fear to get people to follow. Looks like Andrew's thinks so too.
Jax carries a rare gene that allows her to basically jump through space- have you seen Star Wars? Of course you have, well she has the ability to beco...moreJax carries a rare gene that allows her to basically jump through space- have you seen Star Wars? Of course you have, well she has the ability to become a hyper drive for a space ship much like the star ships of Star Wars. This makes her valuable as people with her ability burn out and die fast.
On her last jump something went horribly wrong and the government for which she works has imprisoned her. The only thing is, she can't remember what happened on her last jump. All she knows is that she crashed and that she lost someone very close to her.
Enter March and his space crew. They've come to rescue her- but not for altogether altruistic reasons. They need her.
Jax, being no dummy, accepts his help and they bust her out of jail.
Perhaps saying that March is not being altruistic is a mislead, he does ultimately have the good of the people in mind- but does the ends justify the means? Because if Jax goes along with his plan- she may just lose her life.
I enjoyed this book and read it in one day! From the time I opened the cover, I was hooked!
It's not without it's issues however. Often I felt like the author was leaning very heavily on things we've already seen- Star Wars, Pitch Black, Firefly, for example- at some point while reading this novel I felt twinges of all these storylines.
But what she does well- the characters and their motivations- she does real well!
I also liked that she didn't talk down to us... many who follow sci fi already know what The Butterfly effect or Occam's Razor is- no need to belabor the point. Anyway- Aguire did it right, I.E. she used the terms correctly- and in passing.
I was wary of Aguire's heroine at first- some authors try to do smart alleck and just come off annoying- fortunately she walked the fine line and her character, Jax, was all the better for it. It was March who made the book for me though. He knew right away Jax was his but he also was strong enough to keep her on edge. They were a great match!
Grimspace is written in frist person, once again this is something that can come off as bothersome, but it certainly worked well here. I liked being inside Jax's head.
In Iron Kissed (Mercy Thompson Series, Book 3), Mercy is called in to help yet another set of magical creatures- the Fae. A murderer is on the loose o...moreIn Iron Kissed (Mercy Thompson Series, Book 3), Mercy is called in to help yet another set of magical creatures- the Fae. A murderer is on the loose on the Fae Reservation and the secretive Fae know they must find the murderer quickly or the non-magical press will be breathing down their necks. Hence their call to Mercy- she's got a good nose and a vested interest- her mentor and beloved friend Zee is fae.
When Zee is arrested for the murder- the ante is upped. Mercy must find the true killer or the Fae will let Zee to take the fall- because they've got some secrets of their own.
As things are falling apart for the fae, things are solidifying for Mercy. The Samuel-Mercy-Adam love triangle is settled and just in time too because when the killer figures out Mercy is on to him he'll stop at nothing to stop her and she'll need her true mate to pull her through what happens in the ultimate confrontation.
Although this entry into the Mercy Thompson series seemed shorter, it pack quite an emotional wallop. Just when you thought there was nothing our feisty heroine couldn't handle, Briggs throws a set of circumstances at Mercy that not too many authors would dare do to a beloved, MAIN, character.
I read some reviews that slammed Briggs for doing what she did to Mercy, calling it a cliché. Cliché's are cliché because they're true- over and over again. And the reality of what happened to Mercy made the novel work for me. No I didn't like what happened- but that the author dared to go there- well, it made the novel that much better. And when a pack mate lets her man know what's really going on? It wrecked me. LOVED it.
Daring and heart wrenching, the author "went there" and Iron Kissed is all the better for it.(less)
Second in Brigg's Mercy Thompson series, I think I liked this one better than the first- and that's saying something!
In Blood Bound, mechanic and part...moreSecond in Brigg's Mercy Thompson series, I think I liked this one better than the first- and that's saying something!
In Blood Bound, mechanic and part/time magical world protector- Mercy Thompson, agrees to return a favor for Stefan, the vamp who assisted her in Moon Called (mercy Thompson Book 1).
Stefan needs her to be his eyes and ears while she's in coyote form when he sets out to confront a character who has the appearance of a vamp but is actually much more. When the encounter goes awry, Mercy finds herself firmly entangled in the intrigues of the vamp seethe living nearby- a morass she certainly doesn't like finding herself in.
Adam and Samuel, the two alpha werewolves competing for her affection, don't like it either. Naturally, they all become involved, because the last thing they need is for the world to discover that Vampires really do exist, let alone for the knowledge to get out that they are far less tame than the other magical beings all ready "out" seem to be.
The something-more-than-vamp is definitely a creature that needs to be neutralized and however helpful the leaders of the vamp seethe seem to be in reining in the rogue creature, their motives are not all together pure. It falls to Mercy, whose shapeshifting nature vampires fear and loathe, seems to be the only one to take him down. In the end, it is indeed she who gets the job done.
Briggs does a wonderful job of plotting her novels so that everything ties together without breaking her own rules and in the process having it all make sense.
What keeps me coming back, however, is the love triangle (who will she choose?) subplot of Mercy, Samuel, & Adam. (Yeah, I'm that easy.)
Another excellent addition to a great paranormal series!(less)
I absolutely recommend this one! Full of Werewolves, Vampires, and Shapeshifters, OH MY, AND a totally brilliant butt-kicking heroine who just happens...moreI absolutely recommend this one! Full of Werewolves, Vampires, and Shapeshifters, OH MY, AND a totally brilliant butt-kicking heroine who just happens to have a coyote alter ego- I did not want to put it down once I got into it!
The heroine, Mercy Thompson, is a walker- a shapeshifter of Native American descent- who wears her coyote skin as comfortably as her human form. It's difficult to review this one without spoiling it for those who haven't read it yet, but I'll attempt it.
In Moon Called, Mercy finds herself tossed amid a power struggle between werewolf clans, or packs as it were, after a young werewolf named Mac shows up at her door hungry, scared and in need of a job. Adam, her sexy Alpha Werewolf neighbor, comes along to help out after a particular bloody incident quite literally threatens Mercy and Mac's life.
The plotting and pacing in this novel is so well done I found myself eagerly turning pages even after my eyelids started to droop late into the night! Briggs did a great job of revealing a hook in the plot and then following it up with just enough resolution to satisfy, without leaving us with no more story. That's talent if you ask me! And, I think first person narrative was an excellent choice for Mercy's story as her thoughts are interesting to follow.
Although this is filed in the fantasy genre, it reads more like paranormal romance as far as I'm concerned, only without all the "Anita Blake" sex anxst. (Plus on that one!)
What I loved about the book, other than the tight plotting, was the way the author made the fae, or supernatural, world seem plausible. I also loved that she made you believe Mercy as a regular gal who just happens to be shapeshifting witch who works on VW's for a living!
I'm giving this one a 5 because there isn't anything I can think of to pull it down for me!(less)
n Book 3 of the Black Jewels Trilogy, The two evil Witches who have wreaked so much havoc in all their lives, Hekatah and Dorthea, continue their sche...moren Book 3 of the Black Jewels Trilogy, The two evil Witches who have wreaked so much havoc in all their lives, Hekatah and Dorthea, continue their scheming to bring down Janelle, the once and future Queen of the Blood, and her kingdom.
Daemon has returned and is finally united with Janelle, as well as his brother Lucivar and all the powerful friends she's made along the way- including the magical creatures who only bow to her.
The book ends with one climatic battle, fought mostly in the psychic realm of webs and dreams- but not until she almost loses all she holds dear, including the belief and trust of her family, friends and subjects.
This series is just fantastic. If you love high fantasy and intrigue you'll be hooked just like so many other of us who've picked up this series.
5 out of 5 for Queen of the Darkness and for the entire series! (less)
In Book 2 of Bishop's Black Jewels Trilogy, With Daemon's help, Janelle has been brought back from the psychic wasteland she had descended into after...moreIn Book 2 of Bishop's Black Jewels Trilogy, With Daemon's help, Janelle has been brought back from the psychic wasteland she had descended into after a vicious attack. Her body has healed and aged a only couple years but her spirit, that which makes her Witch- Dreams Made Flesh and the very embodiment of magic, is fully mature. She is coming into her powers but some things are missing, chief among them- Daemon. (Thinking he killed her body in the process of recovering her mind, Daemon never left the psychic mists after showing Janelle the way out.)
Janelle has blocked out much of what happened, and thus has forgotten Daemon. But those around her, not knowing exactly where Daemon is anyway, are not ready to lead her through those forgotten memories, assuming she will come to them on her own when she is ready.
Saetan, after challenging the council he helped create for the right to become her Guardian, has stepped up to train and aid her. He would have lost that challenge too if it wasn't for a magnificent display of power by Janelle that sealed, once and for all, her right to one day become Queen of the Blood.
This chapter of the saga gets a bit bogged down in the mire of political intrigue, but with Janelle's detractors foiled at every turn, we are still led to an ending where all is returned to her- including her consort- and with her throne all but seized, if not yet secure.
As this is the "bridge" book, the one that continues to build on what started in Daughter of the Blood and leads us to the happenings in the one to follow, it's not as exciting as the first and last. But it's needful to read and just as heart wrenching at times.(less)
Anne Bishop's Black Jewel's Trilogy pinged my radar a few years back when old Blogger friends couldn't say enough good about it. Per usual, it took me...moreAnne Bishop's Black Jewel's Trilogy pinged my radar a few years back when old Blogger friends couldn't say enough good about it. Per usual, it took me all this time to finally get to it, but it didn't take me long to see the appeal.
High fantasy to be sure, The Black Jewel's Trilogy follows along the lines of what made this genre popular. Witches, Magic, Enchanted Jewels/rings, Mystical Creatures and Chosen ones- it has it all! And for those of us gals who need it- a dash of romance!
Book 1: Daughter of the Blood.
In the first book, Daughter of the Blood, we are introduced to the characters who will populate the entire Series. Janelle, the once and future queen, is just a child but is already coming into the power that will outshine all in her shadow.
The chosen one whose coming was foretold over 1700 years ago, she would be the one to put an end to the corrupt rule of the Jeweled Blood Queens- witches who rule the people known as The Blood.
But the women in power will not loose their grip so easily and it will take the wisdom of her soul father, brother, and future consort to keep her safe until the time she is ready to come into her own.
Right off the bat I became enthralled with this story. Long a lover of fantasy and romance, I knew this story had the potential to be a great read. I wasn't wrong.
From the moment Janelle enters the scene, answering the call of the lonely brother of her soul- I was hooked.
I have to admit, it was difficult for me to set aside my preconception of one character before I could truly let myself enjoy the ride though-that character being Saetan of course, the soon to be mentor and teacher of Janelle as well as her father- not of blood, but of soul.
Saetan is a sympathetic character in this tale, long relegated to the halls of Hayll and a shell of the man he used to be, subsisting on blood and darkness. Then Janelle enters his life and life begins aknew for him.
In DOTB, the characters are all locked in their own prisons- Saetan to the fragility of his mind and body and the dreams of what could be and Janelle to the hands of those who should be protecting her but are instead locking her away to keep her in line. Luciver, the brother of Janelle's soul and her future consort, Daemon, both literal sons of Saetan, are enslaved as pleasure slaves by and for the Queens of the Blood. But by the end of the first book, we find them all beginning to break free.
One will sacrifice his own sanity for the sake of Janelle's life. Another is left to uncertain future at the hands of his enslavers. One begins to realize his hopes and dreams and for Janelle, the nefarious reasons for her captivity come to a stunning climax that will make you eager to run out for the next installment!
Great beginning to a magical story! (Be warned, the plotting is complex and unfolds over three books, but it is a story not to missed!) (less)
Not the best in the series- shame too because it's the first, but it's a wonderfully intricate story that I recommend!
Warning: the Darkyn series is m...moreNot the best in the series- shame too because it's the first, but it's a wonderfully intricate story that I recommend!
Warning: the Darkyn series is mostly Urban Fantasy with romantic elements. There is a different couple for each book but the first couple's story, Michael and Alexandra from this book, archs throughout the series. (Don't expect your typical HEA at the end of this book!)(less)
At Grave’s End opens with Cat working the bar scene. She is of course doing her job as undercover agent for a secret branch of Homeland Security that...moreAt Grave’s End opens with Cat working the bar scene. She is of course doing her job as undercover agent for a secret branch of Homeland Security that goes after evil supernaturals (as opposed to the good ones like Bones, whom she’s now married to.) Being half vamp herself she has the skills, but now she’s a known quantity in the supernatural world and it’s getting harder and harder for her to do her job.
The anti is upped when her ruthless father makes another appearance and discloses that someone new has paid him to kill Cat. The harrowing scene that ensues had me biting my nails as he proceeded to torture both she and her mother.
Have no fear, they escape but Bones is less than thrilled about this new player and is even more upset when he finds out through his grandsire- the ancient Egyptian vampire Mencheres- that it’s because of him she’s in danger.
The battle begins soon after because a woman done bad– is one evil bitch, and she will use whatever means necessary to destroy Bones, the man prophesied to kill her, collateral damage be damned… if it means certain death to Cat and emotional pain for her husband Mencheres? All the better.
Although Cat still kind of got on my nerves in this one- she has many tstl moments trying to be all independent and I don’t need no one to kick ass for me, and c'mon enough with the series heroines that every single male she encounters want and cant have. What adult woman has that fantasy anyway!? One man wanting me is more than enough thank you very much... especially if its a man like Bones, bloodsucker and all! :P Sorry, when you write this in a character it smacks of Mary Sue-ishness and that's just creepy. BUT I digress-
Despite all that, I read through this the third installment in Jeaniene Frost’s Night Huntess series in one afternoon. Nail biting, emotional AND emotionally satisfying, and yes romantic, I adore this series. Mostly because of the sexy, intense Bones of course, but the other characters in the world Frost’s created also make it an engaging read all around- obviously. (I couldn’t put the damn book down!)
And too, the scenes near the end when... ok I'm not gonna spoil it for you, but it made me finally feel for Cat more than I ever did. Now I’m anxious to get through Cat and Bones’s books so I can get to her spin off world, because I’m loving me some Master Vamps- hello Vlad and Menchy! :P (less)
Thinking they are headed to Paris for a much needed vacation- imagine Cat and Bones’s surprise to find out they were lured there by a Master Vamp Drea...moreThinking they are headed to Paris for a much needed vacation- imagine Cat and Bones’s surprise to find out they were lured there by a Master Vamp Dreamsnatcher named Gregor who insists he has a prior claim on Cat. You see vampires mate for life so if Cat really is mated with another vamp, she and Bones will have to part ways. Yeah bones aint likin that one to too much but instead of communicating honestly with each other, Bones and Cat once again work at cross purposes until they, actually rather surprisingly, end up in Splitsville.
oh they work it out- but I srsly wanted to slap Cat- again. The thing is, the author knows this about her characters- I know full well she does. Because in Destined For An Early Grave, Cat & Bones finally are able to verbalize that neither one of them can help but be the hero for the other thus ensuring they keep their own secrets to guarantee the others safety! Anyway I’m guessing that now that they realize this that aspect of conflict is resolved. I know it makes for a less enjoyable read in one aspect- because c’mon, we love to see the anxsty chemistry of a good "will they, won't they" between protags- but I for one am anxious to see where the author goes from here with these two… after I read Spade & Menchys’ stories! :P
As you can tell, Cat srsly got on my nerves in this the fourth installment of the Night Huntress Series. The way she continually dove headfirst into trouble- trouble easily avoided if she'd truly trusted Bones- honestly made me tsk in disgust. But the plot concerning Gregor- a vamp who may or may not be her first and current husband- in addition to the master vamps running around, had me enthralled till the last page.
And of course- Bones.
So tho this should be a 3 star I'm giving it a 4!(less)
Four years after the first installment in Frost's Night Huntress series- Cat is now working for a secret agency within the government that tracks para...moreFour years after the first installment in Frost's Night Huntress series- Cat is now working for a secret agency within the government that tracks paranormal creatures much like her. At first, coerced into working for the agency to escape a murder rap, Cat is content to lead the crack team placed under her- if only to keep her secrets hidden.
But when a decidedly evil colleague of her former mentor/lover Bones takes an interest in acquiring Cat, one secret is about to make itself known in a big way.
When a hit is put out on Cat, she once again leans on the one man- or vampire- she trusts with all her body and soul. Bones is back and he wants more than the platonic relationship Cat's asking for. Will she be able to deny him as well has her heart's desire?
Bloody and bold as ever, Cat has grown since we last saw her. She leads a team of loyal men against the rogue creatures of the night and, being half-vamp herself, she's good at what she does. She's hidden the fact that Bones is really alive from everyone in hopes of forgetting him, but it hasn't happened in four years and never will. She tries moving on, even dates other men, but nothing will do but Bones. When he comes back into her life she puts up little fight when he makes it clear he still wants her, because, despite the other trustworthy men she now has in her life- he's still the one she can trust above all others. I like that about these two. There is an intimacy between them that spans time and distance and it reeled me in. The plotting is tight in One Foot In The Grave and I liked the menace created by the hunt for Cat- as well as the revelation of her very creation. Cat oozes strength but there is also a vulnerability that makes her likable as well and, in the end, it's the characters Frost's created that make this series a winner.
Excellent addition to the series and looking forward to read the rest! (less)
Loved this story! At first I wasn’t sure about it... the hero is so much like a certain other character we know and love, I was afraid it would come o...moreLoved this story! At first I wasn’t sure about it... the hero is so much like a certain other character we know and love, I was afraid it would come off more as fan/fic rather than a brand new novel. Pleasantly surprised that it did not.
Cat is a wonderfully strong yet vulnerable heroine and Bones couldn’t be any more yummy and dog gone easy to fall for! The story centers around Bones and Cat busting up a vamp ring kidnapping girls so they can feed the appetites of highpaying vamps and highpowered players.
Excellent first novel in what appears to be a thrilling series! (less)
Catching Fire begins soon after the end of The Hunger Games. Peeta and Katniss are favorites of the C...moreWow. Good thing I have Mockingjay ready to go! :D
Catching Fire begins soon after the end of The Hunger Games. Peeta and Katniss are favorites of the Capitol and unwitting heroes to the rest of the districts that compromise the country of Panem. But one man despises them and he’s the one who seems to hold all the power. In a surprising twist of events, it’s back to the hunger games for them- and though Kat is certain this time it truly does spell the end for her, she’s determined to keep Peeta alive- and have him take the Games.
Catching Fire is of course a stunning sequel to the surprise hit, The Hunger Games. Although I LOVED where we ended- even though it leaves us hanging over a fairly big precipice- it took the book a while to get there. Between Kat pussyfootin around who she truly cares about and lost in the malaise of the surprising twist of events of the first book, I felt like the story got kind of lost for a little…
…Until the Peacemakers come to District 12. The day Gale is caught, is the day it gets serious- and thus the story.
As I said after I read The Hunger Games, post apocalyptic fiction doesn’t get much better than this- especially Young Adult fiction!
4.5 out of 5 from me- Almost a 4 because of the slow beginning, but the ending definitely kicked it up a notch! :P
(Btw, this is the first series with a love triangle I have no idea to 'ship for!! I adore BOTH Gale and Peeta- so in the end I understand Kat's dilemma! :P) (less)
Mockingjay, the ending to The Hunger Games trilogy is good reading, plain and simple, and I dont want to spoil this book for anyone so here goes with...moreMockingjay, the ending to The Hunger Games trilogy is good reading, plain and simple, and I dont want to spoil this book for anyone so here goes with a sketch of a synopsis and my thoughts:
Forced to find a new place to call home, Katniss finds herself the reluctant symbol of a war to bring down the evil President Snow, a man who has been in power of the once bright but long dead United States for far too long. Now known as Panem, a country sectioned off into districts with each one existing for one purpose alone- to supply the over indulged Capital district with whatever it desires- the people of Panem finally have a hope of breaking out of their miserable existence... and it all centers around Katniss and what she'll do next.
Winner of the Hunger Games that sparked a civil war, Katniss has become the face of the burning rebellion against the Capital, whether or not she even cares about the war- or knows whom to trust. One things for sure, Snow will be dead by the end of it, and by her hand if Katniss has anything to do with it. This she vows.
I marked this as four stars out of 5 here but really it's more than that. Full of action, dark despair and in the end- hope, it really is dystopian fiction in its purist form. And, that is perhaps its downfall for me. The American in me likes my happy endings and, dont get me wrong, there is one, but its certainly not full of rainbows and sunshine. (Not that I always need puppy dogs and rainbows- and certainly wouldnt have believed an ending like that for this series- yet I was hoping for more for Katniss!) But, this is war people, a means to an end, and though I believe Collins was attempting to make the age old point of "what is it good for" for me it rather did the opposite. Yeah, it isnt good for nothing- but ultimately it may be necessary- especially when evil is ruling. At least in fiction anyway. (It certainly was for this fiction!) So yeah, politics of war? Downfall for the novel.
And yet... it's good reading! (Srsly, this last book played out like a great post apocalyptic movie! Although I know they'd screw it up, I cant help but wish I could "see" it rather than just imagine it one day!)
In the end, I was a tad disappointed in how things played out, but Katniss really is quite "male" in her thinking and actions and that I thought was the most brilliant part of this series. If she would have been anything less than who she was- or she had been cast as a boy- it wouldnt have worked!(less)
I'm easy when it comes to dystopian, post apocalyptic fiction- LOVE it- but this novel goes beyond it's setting. Populated with empathetic, engaging c...moreI'm easy when it comes to dystopian, post apocalyptic fiction- LOVE it- but this novel goes beyond it's setting. Populated with empathetic, engaging characters and edge of your seat PANIC, it's so well done I would have enjoyed it even set in the here and now.
But it's not. Taking place, I assume, sometime in the future or in some sort of alternate timeline, the United States are no longer states, but districts- and those in control seem to be doing everything they can to keep them less than united.
Each district has a purpose- to supply the wealthy, well-fed capital with all that it wants and needs- with some of the districts less thought of than others.
Katniss comes from the poorest district, District 12- the district which supplies coal to the capital.
Katniss, her mother and her sister don’t have much, but what they do have they have Katniss to thank for. With her father dead and her mother weakened by depression, Katniss and her family have never had a rich morsel of food their entire life but she keeps hunger just barely at bay with illegal hunting and clever bartering.
On the biggest day of the year, the day the Capital forces all youth to take part in a drawing for The Hunger Games, Katniss is wary of being one of the ones chosen from her district- as the more times you make it to the lottery, the more chances your number will be called- but she's thankful that her little sister, Primrose, who's only coming to the games for the first time, will more than likely not be chosen.
Fear strikes her heart when low and behold Prim’s name is indeed called out and before she knows it, Katniss volunteers to take her beloved little sister’s place as a contender for a survival game that will mean certain death.
The games are cruel, deadly, and put on for no purpose but to entertain the masses and Katniss is about to make history- if she doesn’t die in the first five seconds!
I loved this book! I’m not a huge Young Adult fiction fan, but The Hunger Games captured my imagination from the first words- and if you are a sci fi/ fantasy lover, you’ll be hooked just as quickly! And even if you aren't a sci fi fan- I can pretty much guarantee you'll enjoy it for the the "fight-the-power" theme in this book crosses all boundaries.
Katniss is a great heroine and one to be emulated- unlike another popular YA character we know **cough** Bella **cough, cough**- she’s fierce in protecting her family and those she loves, she has a noble sense of honor, she's cleverly independent- but don’t think she won’t do whatever she has to, to survive. There’s a budding romance as well in this tale and I’m sensing a love-triangle not far behind.
I’m so looking forward to reading more! 5 out of 5 from me. (less)
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