What do you think?
Rate this book
Den of Shadows #8
Poison Tree
The rich stew of the author's creations—SingleEarth, vampires, shapeshifters, Tristes, the Bruja Guilds—are at full boil here in the story of two 20-ish young women trying to out run their very different pasts, and figure out where they fit in and who they might become. Each has landed in a more "normal" place, and each wonders if, like a tattoo that can't be covered up, they can ever really fit into "normal."
240 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2012
18 people are currently reading
2536 people want to read
About the author
Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
35 books3,431 followersI grew up in Concord, Massachusetts, where I matriculated through the public Concord-Carlisle school district from kindergarten until my graduation in 2001. The best part of school, from fifth grade until the year I graduated, was definitely chorus. I love music, and I love to sing, and though I never had the courage or the talent to participate in any of the high school plays as a performer, I enjoyed being involved at other levels; the music and drama community at CCHS was the highlight of my high school career. I was also on the fencing team for two years, an experience that actually inspired a couple storylines, and regret that I did not continue with that sport.
I now live in Massachusetts with several pets... as well as, of course, my family. I am a student at the University of Massachusetts, with an English/psychology double-major. I hope to work either as an English teacher at the secondary level, or in special education. I have strong opinions about literacy, education, and how our educational systems are treated- strong enough that most of my friends know not to get me started on the subject.
My non-writing hobbies are eclectic, and cover everything from rather domestic pastimes like cross-stitch and cooking to aquarium keeping, playing piano, gardening, carpentry, Harley-Davidsons, driving, and arguing- there are few things I enjoy more than a good debate with someone who knows how to argue, which might have something to do with a best friend who works in politics. I love to learn, so if I have down-time and nothing to do, it is not at all unusual to find me pouring over some book, website or video designed to teach me some new skill, from belly dancing (something I desperately want to learn but have not yet been brave enough to sign up for classes on) to JavaScript.
I now live in Massachusetts with several pets... as well as, of course, my family. I am a student at the University of Massachusetts, with an English/psychology double-major. I hope to work either as an English teacher at the secondary level, or in special education. I have strong opinions about literacy, education, and how our educational systems are treated- strong enough that most of my friends know not to get me started on the subject.
My non-writing hobbies are eclectic, and cover everything from rather domestic pastimes like cross-stitch and cooking to aquarium keeping, playing piano, gardening, carpentry, Harley-Davidsons, driving, and arguing- there are few things I enjoy more than a good debate with someone who knows how to argue, which might have something to do with a best friend who works in politics. I love to learn, so if I have down-time and nothing to do, it is not at all unusual to find me pouring over some book, website or video designed to teach me some new skill, from belly dancing (something I desperately want to learn but have not yet been brave enough to sign up for classes on) to JavaScript.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
January 4, 2013
I’ve read several of Amelia Atwater-Rhodes’s books over the years, and I have the same complaint every time.
Her books are too short. Poison Tree is only 219 pages, but there’s enough story for at least 300 or 350. With such a short length, the book is very rushed. I always feel like I’m thrust into a story where I’m missing half the information. I kept flipping back and forth, trying to figure out if I had missed something, when characters referred to their past.
The author has a vivid imagination, and I know she could easily fill a longer book, and flesh out more of her world and characters. The two main characters in this book, Alysia and Sarik, intrigued me, but I wasn’t able to connect with them as much as I would have liked. There are also two interesting supporting characters, but again, their stories are way too condensed.
I know I’m harping on the length, but I would have gotten so much more out of Poison Tree if it had been longer. I liked the story. I liked the characters. I just wanted more.
See more of my reviews:
Her books are too short. Poison Tree is only 219 pages, but there’s enough story for at least 300 or 350. With such a short length, the book is very rushed. I always feel like I’m thrust into a story where I’m missing half the information. I kept flipping back and forth, trying to figure out if I had missed something, when characters referred to their past.
The author has a vivid imagination, and I know she could easily fill a longer book, and flesh out more of her world and characters. The two main characters in this book, Alysia and Sarik, intrigued me, but I wasn’t able to connect with them as much as I would have liked. There are also two interesting supporting characters, but again, their stories are way too condensed.
I know I’m harping on the length, but I would have gotten so much more out of Poison Tree if it had been longer. I liked the story. I liked the characters. I just wanted more.
See more of my reviews:
September 13, 2012
After fleeing her abusive father, tiger shapeshifter Sarik lives a relatively peaceful life working as a mediator for SingleEarth. Then she meets Alysia, a woman with a past as tainted by violence as her own, who also wishes to become a mediator. But soon after Alysia is welcomed in, one of their own is attacked, and almost killed, setting a series of events into motion that will force both women to deal with the demons of their past.
Amelia Atwater-Rhodes was one of my favorite authors as a teenager. Now that I’m an adult, things have changed. Ever since she made the move back to writing modern day paranormal books, I’ve felt conflicted about her work. While I liked Token of Darkness, both Persistence of Memory and All Just Glass just didn’t work for me. With Poison Tree, my relationship with her work has become even more complex. On one hand, I really enjoyed the first half of the book. I found myself intrigued by the dual protagonists of Sarik and Alysia. I enjoyed getting to learn more about SingleEarth, the organization that has been hovering in the background of the series since Demon in my View was published back in 2000. Sure, some of the side characters seemed a little undeveloped, but there was plenty of book left to take care of that. This was the most excited I was to be reading an Amy book since Falcondance in 2005.
Unfortunately, as I got into the second half of the book, where big revelations are made and the story begins to come together, I found myself feeling confused more than anything else. Perhaps some of the fault was mine for not reading closely enough. After all, I typically go into one of Amy’s book expecting a quick fun read. Still, it seemed to me like there were big sections of the book missing, and as a result I had a hard time understanding the interwoven backstories between the characters, and why they ended up making the decisions that they did as a result.. This is the most obvious with the character of Christian. I found my enjoyment of the novel completely derailed, as I was completely unable to emphatize with the cast. And those side characters I mentioned before still seemed a little underdeveloped.
Final Thoughts- I bet if I were to flip through Poison Tree, I could almost find a point in the middle where I could just draw a line in the book. On one side would be the first half, which built a nice foundation. On the other side would be the second half, which didn’t do much with that foundation at all. I honestly don’t know if I will be reading her next book, Promises to Keep, when it’s published this March. I’ve been reading Amy’s books since I was thirteen years old. It feels strange to stop reading them, but is it worth keeping it up if I don’t really enjoy them anymore?
Amelia Atwater-Rhodes was one of my favorite authors as a teenager. Now that I’m an adult, things have changed. Ever since she made the move back to writing modern day paranormal books, I’ve felt conflicted about her work. While I liked Token of Darkness, both Persistence of Memory and All Just Glass just didn’t work for me. With Poison Tree, my relationship with her work has become even more complex. On one hand, I really enjoyed the first half of the book. I found myself intrigued by the dual protagonists of Sarik and Alysia. I enjoyed getting to learn more about SingleEarth, the organization that has been hovering in the background of the series since Demon in my View was published back in 2000. Sure, some of the side characters seemed a little undeveloped, but there was plenty of book left to take care of that. This was the most excited I was to be reading an Amy book since Falcondance in 2005.
Unfortunately, as I got into the second half of the book, where big revelations are made and the story begins to come together, I found myself feeling confused more than anything else. Perhaps some of the fault was mine for not reading closely enough. After all, I typically go into one of Amy’s book expecting a quick fun read. Still, it seemed to me like there were big sections of the book missing, and as a result I had a hard time understanding the interwoven backstories between the characters, and why they ended up making the decisions that they did as a result.. This is the most obvious with the character of Christian. I found my enjoyment of the novel completely derailed, as I was completely unable to emphatize with the cast. And those side characters I mentioned before still seemed a little underdeveloped.
Final Thoughts- I bet if I were to flip through Poison Tree, I could almost find a point in the middle where I could just draw a line in the book. On one side would be the first half, which built a nice foundation. On the other side would be the second half, which didn’t do much with that foundation at all. I honestly don’t know if I will be reading her next book, Promises to Keep, when it’s published this March. I’ve been reading Amy’s books since I was thirteen years old. It feels strange to stop reading them, but is it worth keeping it up if I don’t really enjoy them anymore?
January 24, 2015
The book starts off with a prologue that introduces our main characters all at once - then they are separated for half the book until reuniting and not always recognizing one another. Sarik is a shapeshifting Tiger, who escaped her brutal clan after the murder of her human sister by their Father. Christian and Alysia are a part of a Bruja Guild - assassins with a strange, complex code of honor. Jason is a vampire once ensalved to his maker. Just a few years later Sarik and Jason are part of SingleEarth, a humanitarian organization for supernatural creatures, Alysia is a mediator for SingleEarth on the run from a bounty by Bruja and all of them collide. Then someone attempst to harm Alysia and she is forced back into the harsh world of the Bruja. In trying to save two children of her kind, Sarik may have to face the one person she would do anything to forget - her Father. And what will Christian do know that he is a Triste witch in training, after Alysia reveals her true reasons for leaving Bruja? Can all of them survive the political and personal intrigues long enough to make it out alive?
I have read EVERY SINGLE BOOK that Amelia Atwater-Rhodes has ever written. ALL OF THEM. I loved each of them equally madly, up until the publication of All Just Glass, a sequel to Shattered Mirror written almost a decade after the first book. It was truly subpar, not at ALL in keeping with the feel of the original book. Then come an ARC for this book, which I decided to try because it's in her universe that I already know. This book is NOT teen oriented like the summary would have you believe, despite being published by Random House's Children's Division. It was all about adults and their complicated, messy, political intrigues. Half the time I had no clue what the heck was even going on because of how convoluted the plot became. In trying to tell overly complicated stories for four separate characters, Atwater-Rhodes succeeded in making them all two-dimensional and superficial. I felt like I never truly got to know any of them, not even Sarik or Alysia who have most of the novel focus. I felt like SingleEarth was debased by being used as a plot device instead of a living, breathing setting with it's own stories. It just served to move the story elsewhere with it's presence. I am truly disappointed by the fact that the author seems to have decided to "spice up" her writing when it was perfect the way it used to be. In my honest opinion it's not an improvement.
VERDICT: 2/5 Stars
*I received an Advanced Reading E-book Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. No money or favors were exchanged for this review. This book's expected publication date is July 10, 2012.*
I have read EVERY SINGLE BOOK that Amelia Atwater-Rhodes has ever written. ALL OF THEM. I loved each of them equally madly, up until the publication of All Just Glass, a sequel to Shattered Mirror written almost a decade after the first book. It was truly subpar, not at ALL in keeping with the feel of the original book. Then come an ARC for this book, which I decided to try because it's in her universe that I already know. This book is NOT teen oriented like the summary would have you believe, despite being published by Random House's Children's Division. It was all about adults and their complicated, messy, political intrigues. Half the time I had no clue what the heck was even going on because of how convoluted the plot became. In trying to tell overly complicated stories for four separate characters, Atwater-Rhodes succeeded in making them all two-dimensional and superficial. I felt like I never truly got to know any of them, not even Sarik or Alysia who have most of the novel focus. I felt like SingleEarth was debased by being used as a plot device instead of a living, breathing setting with it's own stories. It just served to move the story elsewhere with it's presence. I am truly disappointed by the fact that the author seems to have decided to "spice up" her writing when it was perfect the way it used to be. In my honest opinion it's not an improvement.
VERDICT: 2/5 Stars
*I received an Advanced Reading E-book Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. No money or favors were exchanged for this review. This book's expected publication date is July 10, 2012.*
November 5, 2017
Amelia has done it again! Poison Tree focuses on two young women: Sarik and Alysia. Sarik is and Alysia is Now I love how the women within this series are so strong and powerful. They seem to be women to look up to - if you could look up to a character in a book kind of way. I'm pretty much head over heels with this series. I can't wait for the next book - I have a feeling that I will love it as well.
September 10, 2012
I’ve never had the opportunity to read anything by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes, so I’ve never actually had a chance to sample “the rich stew” the summary speaks of. I figured that Poison Tree was a good place to start since it seems to reference a lot of the same lore that can be found in her other books. I do admit that this was probably not the best place to start but I didn’t feel like I was missing out on anything vital during it. Also this is classified as Young Adult but it doesn’t really feel like it belongs in that age group as the main characters are in their 20′s.
This is a rather short read and the pages really flew by once I got started, and it only took me a few hours to finish it. I didn’t expect it to be as steeped in intrigue as is, and at times I found myself extremely frustrated with how little I felt I knew in the whole story. That is both a strength and a downfall for this. While I do enjoy being in the dark about somethings and then feeling that little punch of surprise, I do not like to be so left out of the story that I feel like I have to reread sections to see if I missed something. There are hidden relationships and hidden identities in this that you don’t really see coming until the story tells you and then suddenly everything becomes clear. It is written in different points of view so that adds to the whole ‘sidelines’ feel. I’d say that it keeps you in the dark until around half way through before things start falling into place and you start figuring out what is going on. The lore is the definitely the best thing about Poison Tree, it’s rich and has real depth to it. It puts a interesting little twist on the paranormal genre by giving each ‘race’ interesting quirks, backgrounds or cultures. I’m rather fond of the Tristes witches, who are essentially magical ‘vampires’. There is also the interesting political and personal aspect of the shapeshifting Tiger clans that became a focal point because of Sarik. SilentEarth is also a really cool idea; I like that there is a public organization to help those of the supernatural race adapt and live, as well as steer human attention away from the truth and even help some cope with witnessing the weird. It makes it seem more real.
The main characters of this are Sarik, Jason, Christian, and Alysia. Having the story written in separate povs really helps give them each a unique voice of their own, which really helps give them the depth that you are missing in the beginning. Sarik was a very fleshed out character and really enjoyed her personal growth over the course of the book, and out of the four she has the most complete background. She’s a bit rash in some of her decisions and also extremely cautious because of past pain, but as the story progresses she becomes more sure of herself and what she needs to do. Alysia is a rather cool and kick-ass human that is capable of holding her own and she’s tech savvy as well, but other small glimpses of her past and hints of her wide ranging skills she doesn’t really get a whole lot of depth. The same goes for Jason and Christian, both men are likeable and they both have their histories mentioned but nothing is really explained in detail.
When it comes down to the character aspect I really wanted more and I’m super curious about each of them, but the world building is certainly the strong point of this. If this turns into a series I’d gladly read the next one in hopes that more light is shed on these characters.
This is a rather short read and the pages really flew by once I got started, and it only took me a few hours to finish it. I didn’t expect it to be as steeped in intrigue as is, and at times I found myself extremely frustrated with how little I felt I knew in the whole story. That is both a strength and a downfall for this. While I do enjoy being in the dark about somethings and then feeling that little punch of surprise, I do not like to be so left out of the story that I feel like I have to reread sections to see if I missed something. There are hidden relationships and hidden identities in this that you don’t really see coming until the story tells you and then suddenly everything becomes clear. It is written in different points of view so that adds to the whole ‘sidelines’ feel. I’d say that it keeps you in the dark until around half way through before things start falling into place and you start figuring out what is going on. The lore is the definitely the best thing about Poison Tree, it’s rich and has real depth to it. It puts a interesting little twist on the paranormal genre by giving each ‘race’ interesting quirks, backgrounds or cultures. I’m rather fond of the Tristes witches, who are essentially magical ‘vampires’. There is also the interesting political and personal aspect of the shapeshifting Tiger clans that became a focal point because of Sarik. SilentEarth is also a really cool idea; I like that there is a public organization to help those of the supernatural race adapt and live, as well as steer human attention away from the truth and even help some cope with witnessing the weird. It makes it seem more real.
The main characters of this are Sarik, Jason, Christian, and Alysia. Having the story written in separate povs really helps give them each a unique voice of their own, which really helps give them the depth that you are missing in the beginning. Sarik was a very fleshed out character and really enjoyed her personal growth over the course of the book, and out of the four she has the most complete background. She’s a bit rash in some of her decisions and also extremely cautious because of past pain, but as the story progresses she becomes more sure of herself and what she needs to do. Alysia is a rather cool and kick-ass human that is capable of holding her own and she’s tech savvy as well, but other small glimpses of her past and hints of her wide ranging skills she doesn’t really get a whole lot of depth. The same goes for Jason and Christian, both men are likeable and they both have their histories mentioned but nothing is really explained in detail.
When it comes down to the character aspect I really wanted more and I’m super curious about each of them, but the world building is certainly the strong point of this. If this turns into a series I’d gladly read the next one in hopes that more light is shed on these characters.
August 21, 2012
First the cover attracted me. Although this book actually involves four protagonists (Two couples) they cohose to picture the one who is of African-Asian heritage (a tiger shapeshifter) on the cover. That meant I had to read it.
The book did not disappoint. It has one of the few prologues I've read that absolutely works, it sets the tone and background beautifully, as we watch the pureblood Tiger-shifter, Sarik dealing with the torture-muder of her younger younger human sister (and the differences int heir heritage became very important later in the story). She teams up with vampire Jason who was hurt when he refused to join his crew in torturing the girl. Meanwhile two assassins, Alysia and Christian, join forces to fight the rest of the vampire nest while Sarik and Jason escape. The rest of the action takes place six years later.
That's one of the best parts of this story. This is classified as a YA book, although most of the action occurs when the characters are in their early twenties. It's a different take on a paranormal (Jason goes to bed at midnight, prime time for vampires to be out hunting). Its a world with an international organization SingleEarth dedicated to bringing peace and understanding between humanity and the various shifters, vampires, witches, the three assassins guilds, and etc. (they never define what else might be around). Things get pretty complicated in this story, their are hidden relationships between all four characters, especially Sarik, who is not exactly who she claims to be. No love triangles either, although at times their pasts almost disrupt present lives and loves. The author made one continuity error that left something bugging at my subconscious until I went back ane reread to check that things could not have happened exactly they way the narrative claimed. But it was small, and the showdown between Sarik and her father made up for that little problem.
While this story was complete in itself, there is room for a sequel. I would enjoy reading more about SingleEarth, the problem of witches maybe having too much power in the organization they founded, and the assasins guilds that are finally moving into the 21st century and becoming computerized.
The book did not disappoint. It has one of the few prologues I've read that absolutely works, it sets the tone and background beautifully, as we watch the pureblood Tiger-shifter, Sarik dealing with the torture-muder of her younger younger human sister (and the differences int heir heritage became very important later in the story). She teams up with vampire Jason who was hurt when he refused to join his crew in torturing the girl. Meanwhile two assassins, Alysia and Christian, join forces to fight the rest of the vampire nest while Sarik and Jason escape. The rest of the action takes place six years later.
That's one of the best parts of this story. This is classified as a YA book, although most of the action occurs when the characters are in their early twenties. It's a different take on a paranormal (Jason goes to bed at midnight, prime time for vampires to be out hunting). Its a world with an international organization SingleEarth dedicated to bringing peace and understanding between humanity and the various shifters, vampires, witches, the three assassins guilds, and etc. (they never define what else might be around). Things get pretty complicated in this story, their are hidden relationships between all four characters, especially Sarik, who is not exactly who she claims to be. No love triangles either, although at times their pasts almost disrupt present lives and loves. The author made one continuity error that left something bugging at my subconscious until I went back ane reread to check that things could not have happened exactly they way the narrative claimed. But it was small, and the showdown between Sarik and her father made up for that little problem.
While this story was complete in itself, there is room for a sequel. I would enjoy reading more about SingleEarth, the problem of witches maybe having too much power in the organization they founded, and the assasins guilds that are finally moving into the 21st century and becoming computerized.
March 30, 2012
3.5 stars - I thought this book had a good mix of good elements. It was average length but didn't feel too short or too long. It had a good blend of action, mystery and politics. It had romance but not too consuming that it took away from the story. Not a bad read at all.
There was a point about two-thirds of the way through that I took a breather because I was so frustrated that I had a lot of unanswered questions. Why were they let go in the prologue? Why doesn't anyone recognize each other? What was really going on but more importantly, WHY is nothing what it seems? But all I had to do was be patient because everything came tumbling out pretty soon after that. And I meant tumbling out REALLY fast, which I don't think is really a good thing, but at least we figure everything out.
My concerns about Alysia, Sarik and Jason were answered, but I did still have a lot of questions about Christian though that I felt Atwater-Rhodes did not answer , but I guess maybe that's for a future book? No idea if there is a sequel in stored.
There was a point about two-thirds of the way through that I took a breather because I was so frustrated that I had a lot of unanswered questions. Why were they let go in the prologue? Why doesn't anyone recognize each other? What was really going on but more importantly, WHY is nothing what it seems? But all I had to do was be patient because everything came tumbling out pretty soon after that. And I meant tumbling out REALLY fast, which I don't think is really a good thing, but at least we figure everything out.
My concerns about Alysia, Sarik and Jason were answered, but I did still have a lot of questions about Christian though that I felt Atwater-Rhodes did not answer , but I guess maybe that's for a future book? No idea if there is a sequel in stored.
July 15, 2012
This book definitely did not disappoint me. Ever since In the forest of the Night I have been in LOVE with Amelia's writing style and stories. With every book she surprises me with the intricate details of her world. This book introduced more information about the Bruja and SingleEarth that I have always wanted to know more about. As always she gave enough information to keep your mind whirling but held back just enough so she can surprise you in the most fabulous way. The only thing that would make this book even better is more background on Christian. Maybe another new book soon?
I definitely suggest people to go and re-read her previous books to refresh their minds of her world before reading this to readjust to the fast paced storyline. This book has motivated me to re-read all her previous books and I hope it would do the same for you.
I can't wait for more!
I definitely suggest people to go and re-read her previous books to refresh their minds of her world before reading this to readjust to the fast paced storyline. This book has motivated me to re-read all her previous books and I hope it would do the same for you.
I can't wait for more!
August 15, 2017
I'd give this a 2.5.Star. While the universe was intriguing. That was why I originally picked it up. That being said, the book lacked a soul. I didn't feel connected to the characters or invested in their relationship. It all felt so superficial and glossed over.
The world from what I saw of it was interesting, but there was too much going on at once. We moved from one event to another in a jerky manner that never allowed for true build up and at times I thought it was almost confusing. I wanted more from this than I was given.
When so many characters have big secrets that affect others, there needs to be time taken with the reveal and flash back. This just lacked clarity and development and I had a tough time pushing through to the end.
The world from what I saw of it was interesting, but there was too much going on at once. We moved from one event to another in a jerky manner that never allowed for true build up and at times I thought it was almost confusing. I wanted more from this than I was given.
When so many characters have big secrets that affect others, there needs to be time taken with the reveal and flash back. This just lacked clarity and development and I had a tough time pushing through to the end.
April 7, 2015
I kinda love how I’ve been doing these bursts of Amelia Atwater-Rhodes binge-reading/catch-up in the last couple of years. Before that, I probably wouldn’t have admitted that I used to be super-into her books back in middle school (or if I did, with a serious eyeroll and laughing about it), but she did have an impression on me back then, and heading back into these books has been a warm wave of nostalgia for me. (Also, having more money to final splurge and finish up the Den of Shadows and get the first Maeve’ra book! On my Kindle, but still.)
What I’ve really loved about diving back into Atwater-Rhodes’s series, especially with Den of Shadows, is that we’re seeing more of how her various races interact not only with each other, but in an increasingly modern world where being immortal is getting a little harder to dodge (or would be if the vampires and the Triste witches didn’t have persuasion powers), much less being a shapeshifter trying to live in the modern world. One would think that the serpiente and the avian would have an easier time of it, but it’s impossible for the Mistari to integrate into modern America, because people are going to notice a bunch of tigers running around Massachusetts and upstate New York. (Especially when you look at the reveal of Persistence of Memory, and in here where mixed bloodlines are mentioned, so who knows exactly how many shapeshifters are running around in the Northeastern US alone.)
(This is not even getting into stuff like rape, unprotected sex, or if you wanna get into Demon in My View’s Jessica, completely warped parasitically feeding off a supernatural creature for twenty years.
…Atwater-Rhodes never did completely explain that plot point, did she…)
This is why I really love the concept of SingleEarth as a whole. Although it started off as more of an idealistic “Let’s all get along!” groups of safe homes back in Shattered Mirror, I’ve enjoyed seeing it morph into the nonprofit sanctuary/halfway home for the various denizens of the supernatural underworld who wear willing to give up their lifestyles of killing each other (or humans). (Sidetracking: I WANT A WHOLE BOOK THAT’S JUST THE DAILY WORKINGS OF A SUPERNATURAL NONPROFIT. Like running blood drives for vampires, fostering orphan werewolf cubs with new packs, publishing “The Handbook for the Recent Deceased.” I want a banal office story but with vampires and werewolves.) I really liked seeing the banality of SingleEarth in the background of this book, from helping the Mistari cubs to the fact that the mercenary guilds suddenly gaining a one-woman IT department is a plot point.
And what I also really like is that this book underscores how brutal the supernatural world can get. It hasn’t been entirely touched on—there were shades of it in Shattered Mirror and All Just Glass (witch-hunters or not, Dominque Vida could definitely be considered abusive), but we finally get deeper into the Mistari culture. Sarrik’s story along with her desperation to save Jecht and Quean is a real eye-opener into how brutal the shapeshifters can get within their own clans. There’s still a lot that we don’t really know about the Mistari, but from what we learn about Jecht and Quean and Sarrik, we learn enough.
There’s a lot about the main plot that I do like, This is a story about breaking the cycle of abuse and recognizing one’s own anger, and it’s something that rings throughout most of the main characters—Sarrik with her abusive father, Jason’s abuse and manipulation by his maker, and Alysia’s recognizing her anger and trying to do something good with it. And I like that all three of them have a different revelation in regards to their respective pasts, and there’s not one catch-all “right” choice. (While Jason is an important character, especially to Sarrik, he mostly stands off to the sad like a big fluffy puppy with bad teeth. I like Jason, he’s very sweet and I love his and Sarrik’s relationship.)
I don’t think my one big problem with the book completely derails it, and the fact that we’re finally learned more about this world than Atwater-Rhodes’s early books helps a lot. Plus, her books are generally quick, easy reads. I enjoyed it.
What I’ve really loved about diving back into Atwater-Rhodes’s series, especially with Den of Shadows, is that we’re seeing more of how her various races interact not only with each other, but in an increasingly modern world where being immortal is getting a little harder to dodge (or would be if the vampires and the Triste witches didn’t have persuasion powers), much less being a shapeshifter trying to live in the modern world. One would think that the serpiente and the avian would have an easier time of it, but it’s impossible for the Mistari to integrate into modern America, because people are going to notice a bunch of tigers running around Massachusetts and upstate New York. (Especially when you look at the reveal of Persistence of Memory, and in here where mixed bloodlines are mentioned, so who knows exactly how many shapeshifters are running around in the Northeastern US alone.)
(This is not even getting into stuff like rape, unprotected sex, or if you wanna get into Demon in My View’s Jessica, completely warped parasitically feeding off a supernatural creature for twenty years.
…Atwater-Rhodes never did completely explain that plot point, did she…)
This is why I really love the concept of SingleEarth as a whole. Although it started off as more of an idealistic “Let’s all get along!” groups of safe homes back in Shattered Mirror, I’ve enjoyed seeing it morph into the nonprofit sanctuary/halfway home for the various denizens of the supernatural underworld who wear willing to give up their lifestyles of killing each other (or humans). (Sidetracking: I WANT A WHOLE BOOK THAT’S JUST THE DAILY WORKINGS OF A SUPERNATURAL NONPROFIT. Like running blood drives for vampires, fostering orphan werewolf cubs with new packs, publishing “The Handbook for the Recent Deceased.” I want a banal office story but with vampires and werewolves.) I really liked seeing the banality of SingleEarth in the background of this book, from helping the Mistari cubs to the fact that the mercenary guilds suddenly gaining a one-woman IT department is a plot point.
And what I also really like is that this book underscores how brutal the supernatural world can get. It hasn’t been entirely touched on—there were shades of it in Shattered Mirror and All Just Glass (witch-hunters or not, Dominque Vida could definitely be considered abusive), but we finally get deeper into the Mistari culture. Sarrik’s story along with her desperation to save Jecht and Quean is a real eye-opener into how brutal the shapeshifters can get within their own clans. There’s still a lot that we don’t really know about the Mistari, but from what we learn about Jecht and Quean and Sarrik, we learn enough.
There’s a lot about the main plot that I do like, This is a story about breaking the cycle of abuse and recognizing one’s own anger, and it’s something that rings throughout most of the main characters—Sarrik with her abusive father, Jason’s abuse and manipulation by his maker, and Alysia’s recognizing her anger and trying to do something good with it. And I like that all three of them have a different revelation in regards to their respective pasts, and there’s not one catch-all “right” choice. (While Jason is an important character, especially to Sarrik, he mostly stands off to the sad like a big fluffy puppy with bad teeth. I like Jason, he’s very sweet and I love his and Sarrik’s relationship.)
I don’t think my one big problem with the book completely derails it, and the fact that we’re finally learned more about this world than Atwater-Rhodes’s early books helps a lot. Plus, her books are generally quick, easy reads. I enjoyed it.
August 4, 2019
3 1/2 Stars
Poison Tree is the eighth book in The Den of Shadows series by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes.
This is a great YA, paranormal fantasy series with vampires, witches, shapeshifters, supernatural elements, hunters, mystery, suspense, danger, action, drama, and a little angst.
This was such a rich tapestry that was woven quite deftly. Sarik and Alysia were great characters and I enjoyed following them on their adventure.
An original, spooky story- with fully developed and interesting characters. It’s well crafted and is a credit to Ms. Atwater-Rhodes!
A fun read!
Thank you, Ms. Atwater-Rhodes!
Poison Tree is the eighth book in The Den of Shadows series by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes.
This is a great YA, paranormal fantasy series with vampires, witches, shapeshifters, supernatural elements, hunters, mystery, suspense, danger, action, drama, and a little angst.
This was such a rich tapestry that was woven quite deftly. Sarik and Alysia were great characters and I enjoyed following them on their adventure.
An original, spooky story- with fully developed and interesting characters. It’s well crafted and is a credit to Ms. Atwater-Rhodes!
A fun read!
Thank you, Ms. Atwater-Rhodes!
April 2, 2021
I enjoyed this book, however, the change between the characters narrating the chapters was a bit confusing. The story starts off with just Sarik and Alysia, then eventually includes Christian and Jason and even Lynzi in the mix.
I liked how the various histories were all inter-woven, but having 4-5 different characters perspective changes made the story a little hard to follow at times. As someone who enjoys escaping into a book, the perspective changes broke the flow of the story for me.
Otherwise, I enjoyed the way both Sarik and Alysia learn to challenge their history and come to find a way to integrate both their past and current lives in a way that benefits more than just themselves.
I liked how the various histories were all inter-woven, but having 4-5 different characters perspective changes made the story a little hard to follow at times. As someone who enjoys escaping into a book, the perspective changes broke the flow of the story for me.
Otherwise, I enjoyed the way both Sarik and Alysia learn to challenge their history and come to find a way to integrate both their past and current lives in a way that benefits more than just themselves.
July 10, 2018
A bit slow to start because of the complexity of a bunch of new characters and backstories, but the world building in the Den of Shadows explodes in this book, and when combined with lots of classic Atwater-Rhodes violence, it makes for a fun read. Definitely recommend as a kind of stand alone, except for background knowledge of all the different types of species, which isn’t covered here much at all.
January 28, 2020
Book pretty much sucked ass. The writing was horrible and it was so cringy. Sounds straight out of wattpad and written by a 12 year old. Characters are introduced at random so it is a bit confusing. I could tell from the title and cover that the book was gonna be crap. Basically the book like as cheesy and crappy as it looks.
November 13, 2017
This book I am conflicted about. While I enjoyed parts of the story I felt others parts were underdeveloped. I would have liked a little more about the backgrounds of the four main characters and the guilds. Like other reviews I have to agree the book would have benefited from being a bit longer.
July 15, 2018
Why are her books so short?? Why???
Read
June 21, 2019Got through a chapter and realized I wasn't gonna like this one
March 13, 2013
I don’t even know where to start with this review. My head is all over the place and I desperately want more! I have read all of Amelia Atwater-Rhodes’ books to date and while I love all of her stories, there are always going to be the ones that are my favorites and Poison Tree has definitely fought its way into the top three in that list.
This is the first book that has focused on SingleEarth as the main part of the story. Yes, it’s true SingleEarth or a mention of it usually makes its way into every book, but it was nice to actually see inside of the organization and how things are run. It was also nice to see all kinds of characters in this book.
So much was explored and tossed out to readers at such a fast pace. We had humans, vampires, shifters, and witches. Plus there were a few returning characters from other books, which always makes me grin. That’s another thing that I love about Rhodes’s books, though they can all be read as standalones, the world encompasses all the books she’s written and so sometimes characters cross paths.
And if you love them as much as I do seeing them pop up in new books makes you grin like a dope because it’s like an extra special treat. I will not tell you who pops up, but I will say there’s someone from Midnight Predatorand someone from Persistence of Memory.
The best part of Poison Tree was absolutely by far the plot. I was slightly confused in the very beginning, but once we came back to present time things got clearer and as the story unfolded I was amazed how everyone who was running from something turned out to be intertwined. It was epic, seeing the story unfold and realizing characters that you had no idea knew each other were part of each other’s lives in seriously unexpected ways; well it just blew me away.
There were so many great scenes between characters in this book and so many emotions, but one of my favorites was the huge fight and speech at the end. I can totally see Sarik, Alysia, Jason, and Christian being best friends…haha down the line when things aren’t so tense. But those two girls, man their need to help, their bravery, and their strength, just amazing.
Very awesome female leads. That’s another thing I love about Rhodes’s stories that I’m sure I’ve mentioned before. She never takes the easy way out and has some male character come in and rescue her female lead. She always has the very strong broken women who lean on people when they need to and aren’t afraid to accept help, but who ultimately face their fears and triumph.
I can’t possibly love her writing any more than I already do. If you haven’t read Poison Tree, check it out and hopefully you’ll love it as much as I do!
June 9, 2015
It's a sad thing when you read a book by a beloved author and just could not get into it. I don't know what it was about Amelia Atwater-Rhodes's Poison Tree, but I seriously can't remember much of what I read. Perhaps I was still enjoying the high of finishing her last book which returned to characters I knew and loved. Starting over again with brand new characters might not have been a wise move. But I was on a role getting this series nearly finished!
I don't know where my head was when I was reading, because I can barely remember much at all. The description I typed up felt like starting over, I was reading as I was typing and thought, I just read that?
Sarik and Alysia are not exactly the best of friends. Alysia is new to the Haven and on her first night there, there was an attack that left one of their own injured. Alysia has a muddied past that leads us to believe that the bolts were meant for her, or to cause her trouble at the very least. Sarik has her own complicated past that comes into play as we move further along with the story.
I just felt so disconnected throughout this story while I was reading. I kept reading because I kept hoping that I would soon find someone I liked, a new found character friend. But alas, it just seems like this read wasn't for me. I can't even be sure if there was romance in it. And that's sad! I knew Sarik had a boyfriend, but I could never figure out if Alysia had a romantic partner or not. There seemed at times a guy or two was pursuing her, but then again, the disconnect came about and I never really figured out if someone was after her heart as well.
It seems, very sadly, that this read just wasn't for me. And coming from my favorite author as a teenager this devastates me to no end! I still plan to read her books though! I got one more to finish in this world series, then I will attempt to finish her other series that I stopped reading when some years ago and then I plan to start her new series. I can tell by reading each book that Amelia continued to learn things, her books started out very short and while some of these later books are still short at just over 200 pages, they're more built up then her earlier ones that were under 200, but I admit I still love those too!
Overall Rating 2/5 stars
I don't know where my head was when I was reading, because I can barely remember much at all. The description I typed up felt like starting over, I was reading as I was typing and thought, I just read that?
Sarik and Alysia are not exactly the best of friends. Alysia is new to the Haven and on her first night there, there was an attack that left one of their own injured. Alysia has a muddied past that leads us to believe that the bolts were meant for her, or to cause her trouble at the very least. Sarik has her own complicated past that comes into play as we move further along with the story.
I just felt so disconnected throughout this story while I was reading. I kept reading because I kept hoping that I would soon find someone I liked, a new found character friend. But alas, it just seems like this read wasn't for me. I can't even be sure if there was romance in it. And that's sad! I knew Sarik had a boyfriend, but I could never figure out if Alysia had a romantic partner or not. There seemed at times a guy or two was pursuing her, but then again, the disconnect came about and I never really figured out if someone was after her heart as well.
It seems, very sadly, that this read just wasn't for me. And coming from my favorite author as a teenager this devastates me to no end! I still plan to read her books though! I got one more to finish in this world series, then I will attempt to finish her other series that I stopped reading when some years ago and then I plan to start her new series. I can tell by reading each book that Amelia continued to learn things, her books started out very short and while some of these later books are still short at just over 200 pages, they're more built up then her earlier ones that were under 200, but I admit I still love those too!
Overall Rating 2/5 stars
May 3, 2021
3.4 stars. I've been reading Atwater-Rhodes for nearly two decades. You could say that she introduced me to urban fantasy. By this point I've read nearly everything that Atwater-Rhodes has published (although there are a few that are hard to get your hands on). Although this isn't her best work, I enjoyed it a lot more than some other of her newer pieces. I wasn't familiar with any of the characters, but by the end I wanted to know more about all of them. As always, she does not over-explain, and leaves many details up to the imagination. Sometimes I appreciate that, and sometimes I'd like more than what I'm getting.
September 8, 2012
From the author who brought two fantastic YA series to the fantasy world, this new tale is filled with the same creatures who have become beloved by millions. Yes, you have your token vamps, shape shifters and more, but with this book you also receive a very interesting plot!
Sarik is a shape shifter (a tiger, in fact). She and Jason (a vamp) saved each other six years ago and have been in love ever since. Lynzi is like a vamp in the fact that she is physically ageless, and Diana is a witch and CEO of SingleEarth which owns the ‘havens’ across the globe. Now, you see, there are various places that help all the fantastical demons out there. They come to be saved, re-taught and protected. Sarik is becoming the runner of Haven #4, yet she still lives in terrible fear of the past - waiting on pins and needles for karma (her father) to come back and destroy her life.
Nestled in the woods of Western Massachusetts, Haven #4 runs semi-smoothly. Although one day a new face arrives that may or may not be an enemy. Her name is Alysia (someone who was actually a mercenary hired to kill demons and was present the day Jason and Sarik made their escape). She arrives at Haven #4 with a price on her head, on the run and doing her best to start a new life.
One day, tech support is needed because of a computer glitch that occurs and a young man named Ben arrives to fix the problem. More than a little flirty with one of the haven employees, he’s far down the list of potential problems when Jason is suddenly stabbed and others are harmed during an attack on the haven. The weapons used are Onyx crossbows, which are the choice for a certain group of mercenaries called the Bruja Guild - a group that Alysia knows very well.
Christian Denmark is one of those men, trained by Pandora. He knows how to kill and he has a past with Alysia. Whether or not they’re still working together, or exactly where Alysia’s loyalties lie, is a fantastic story that will truly excite fantasy readers out there.
Although a boring cover, the suspense, mysteries, twists and turns of this story are definitely something that will increase enjoyment of your quiet time!
Sarik is a shape shifter (a tiger, in fact). She and Jason (a vamp) saved each other six years ago and have been in love ever since. Lynzi is like a vamp in the fact that she is physically ageless, and Diana is a witch and CEO of SingleEarth which owns the ‘havens’ across the globe. Now, you see, there are various places that help all the fantastical demons out there. They come to be saved, re-taught and protected. Sarik is becoming the runner of Haven #4, yet she still lives in terrible fear of the past - waiting on pins and needles for karma (her father) to come back and destroy her life.
Nestled in the woods of Western Massachusetts, Haven #4 runs semi-smoothly. Although one day a new face arrives that may or may not be an enemy. Her name is Alysia (someone who was actually a mercenary hired to kill demons and was present the day Jason and Sarik made their escape). She arrives at Haven #4 with a price on her head, on the run and doing her best to start a new life.
One day, tech support is needed because of a computer glitch that occurs and a young man named Ben arrives to fix the problem. More than a little flirty with one of the haven employees, he’s far down the list of potential problems when Jason is suddenly stabbed and others are harmed during an attack on the haven. The weapons used are Onyx crossbows, which are the choice for a certain group of mercenaries called the Bruja Guild - a group that Alysia knows very well.
Christian Denmark is one of those men, trained by Pandora. He knows how to kill and he has a past with Alysia. Whether or not they’re still working together, or exactly where Alysia’s loyalties lie, is a fantastic story that will truly excite fantasy readers out there.
Although a boring cover, the suspense, mysteries, twists and turns of this story are definitely something that will increase enjoyment of your quiet time!
January 16, 2016
3 1/2 stars
I love the paranormal world and mythology that the author created and used throughout all her book. They’re all unique, with different characters. Some succeed, some fail and some are in-between. This was an in-between book for me. I liked the organization she created, called Single Earth. I like how technology was a topic in this book, as well as changing times. I think the different shape-shifters are cool (don’t care for the vamps). What I didn’t like in this book was how confused I got with the plot. I got people, place and events mixed up. There should be some kind of guide to characters, hunter, shifter and such so I can keep up with the story. Are the Bruja witches or hunters? Who is Christian? Who are the romantic interest of the main characters?
In the end only some of these questions were answered and I was left still confused at what happened. Re-reading doesn’t help when you’re totally lost. I still managed to enjoy the book because I liked the characters and the things they said. I can’t wait to read author next book. She always cooks up something different in her fantasy world. (I loved the Kiesha’ra series, Falcon Dance was my fav. As for Den of Shadows books, I liked Persistence of Memory and Token of Darkness too).
Cover Art Review: Not very interesting. Kinda disappointing. Poorly designed (the author’s name? that tree?)
~Haley G
My blog:
http://breathlessbookreviews.blogspot...
I love the paranormal world and mythology that the author created and used throughout all her book. They’re all unique, with different characters. Some succeed, some fail and some are in-between. This was an in-between book for me. I liked the organization she created, called Single Earth. I like how technology was a topic in this book, as well as changing times. I think the different shape-shifters are cool (don’t care for the vamps). What I didn’t like in this book was how confused I got with the plot. I got people, place and events mixed up. There should be some kind of guide to characters, hunter, shifter and such so I can keep up with the story. Are the Bruja witches or hunters? Who is Christian? Who are the romantic interest of the main characters?
In the end only some of these questions were answered and I was left still confused at what happened. Re-reading doesn’t help when you’re totally lost. I still managed to enjoy the book because I liked the characters and the things they said. I can’t wait to read author next book. She always cooks up something different in her fantasy world. (I loved the Kiesha’ra series, Falcon Dance was my fav. As for Den of Shadows books, I liked Persistence of Memory and Token of Darkness too).
Cover Art Review: Not very interesting. Kinda disappointing. Poorly designed (the author’s name? that tree?)
~Haley G
My blog:
http://breathlessbookreviews.blogspot...
June 8, 2013
Once again, Amelia Atwater-Rhodes has proven her writing ability and reminded me why she is my favorite author. Poison Tree was a fantastic addition the Den of Shadows series. I always love learning more about this fantastic world.
I found the plot for Poison Tree extremely intriguing. Amelia threw in a few twists, some of which I predicted, and some of which made me reread the previous page just to wrap my head around the revealed information.
I thought Sarik and Alysia were very well developed characters. I felt emotional ties to both. However, I felt like Christian and Jason were lacking something development-wise. They both seemed kind of static to me. I would have liked to learned a bit more about them and their personalities. I just felt like there were things I wanted to know about their pasta and motivations that I never found out.
Unfortunately, the epilogue left several questions unanswered. While I know it was done on purpose, it still drives me crazy. On the other hand, it's just made me that more anxious to read the next installment.
The main downfall of Poison Tree is the inaccessibility for people who have not read the previous books. I can't help but think that if anyone stumbled upon this book without reading the others first, they would be completely confused and may miss out on a truly wonderful story.
Overall, I give Poison Tree 4 stars. It's a fantastic and fairly easy read, in addition to being exciting.
I found the plot for Poison Tree extremely intriguing. Amelia threw in a few twists, some of which I predicted, and some of which made me reread the previous page just to wrap my head around the revealed information.
I thought Sarik and Alysia were very well developed characters. I felt emotional ties to both. However, I felt like Christian and Jason were lacking something development-wise. They both seemed kind of static to me. I would have liked to learned a bit more about them and their personalities. I just felt like there were things I wanted to know about their pasta and motivations that I never found out.
Unfortunately, the epilogue left several questions unanswered. While I know it was done on purpose, it still drives me crazy. On the other hand, it's just made me that more anxious to read the next installment.
The main downfall of Poison Tree is the inaccessibility for people who have not read the previous books. I can't help but think that if anyone stumbled upon this book without reading the others first, they would be completely confused and may miss out on a truly wonderful story.
Overall, I give Poison Tree 4 stars. It's a fantastic and fairly easy read, in addition to being exciting.
October 3, 2013
What can I say?? This lady is a great writer and has been since her first book at 13 years old! I believe I have finally gotten my hands on all the ones available as of now.
I love magical creatures of all kinds. She takes a wonderful book and puts all kinds in there together. I love this!! I love to read about them all together and see them mingle in good and not so good times. Once you start reading one of her books you form ties with the characters, be it bad or great. Sometimes you get caught up in stuff you didn't expect ... but that's what makes a good book.. right?? I must say in this one I really loved the little young shapeshifter boys :)
Now on to the next book ... "promises to keep"! As always I'm very excited! I think this may be the last book in this series but then I have the other series she wrote to start on after promises to keep :)
I can also say that I love it when I find an author I didn't know about and am suddenly in love with their work and find out there are all kinds of books out there they have written .... It's like YEEEEHAWWW!!! :D <3 I'll be entertained for awhile! I have loved keeping her books ordered so I wouldn't have a break in between with not one to read. Once I start on a series and I love it ... I have to keep going and going .. like the energizer bunny!
I hope everyone that gives Amelia's books a try enjoys them every bit as much as I am!
I love magical creatures of all kinds. She takes a wonderful book and puts all kinds in there together. I love this!! I love to read about them all together and see them mingle in good and not so good times. Once you start reading one of her books you form ties with the characters, be it bad or great. Sometimes you get caught up in stuff you didn't expect ... but that's what makes a good book.. right?? I must say in this one I really loved the little young shapeshifter boys :)
Now on to the next book ... "promises to keep"! As always I'm very excited! I think this may be the last book in this series but then I have the other series she wrote to start on after promises to keep :)
I can also say that I love it when I find an author I didn't know about and am suddenly in love with their work and find out there are all kinds of books out there they have written .... It's like YEEEEHAWWW!!! :D <3 I'll be entertained for awhile! I have loved keeping her books ordered so I wouldn't have a break in between with not one to read. Once I start on a series and I love it ... I have to keep going and going .. like the energizer bunny!
I hope everyone that gives Amelia's books a try enjoys them every bit as much as I am!
October 2, 2012
My thoughts...Poison Tree offers readers a fresh story that includes action, intrigue, fantasy, and mystery.
PoisonTree is full of interesting characters. Not only will readers meet traditional vamps, witches and shifters,but other species of beings with unique abilities. The story is told from various character POV's with intertwining lives and common goals. Alyssa, a very strong character in the book, quickly became my favorite. She is not without flaws, but she is mentally strong and definitely kick-butt!
Poison Tree is a short book, ending at only 219 pages. It took a good quarter of the book for me to figure out who was who. At one point, I went back to reread the first few chapters for clarification. I spent a good portion of the book confused about people's connections and abilities. At times I felt there were too many characters to keep track of in the story.
While parts of the story lost me, the end really pulled it all together. The author did a great job of making connnections and setting up the characters for more adventures. By the end of the book, I had the characters figured out and who loves who figured out (mostly). I also found myself wanting more. Amelia Atwater-Rhodes left plenty of room for another book in this magical world. More world and character building could make for an exciting series.
PoisonTree is full of interesting characters. Not only will readers meet traditional vamps, witches and shifters,but other species of beings with unique abilities. The story is told from various character POV's with intertwining lives and common goals. Alyssa, a very strong character in the book, quickly became my favorite. She is not without flaws, but she is mentally strong and definitely kick-butt!
Poison Tree is a short book, ending at only 219 pages. It took a good quarter of the book for me to figure out who was who. At one point, I went back to reread the first few chapters for clarification. I spent a good portion of the book confused about people's connections and abilities. At times I felt there were too many characters to keep track of in the story.
While parts of the story lost me, the end really pulled it all together. The author did a great job of making connnections and setting up the characters for more adventures. By the end of the book, I had the characters figured out and who loves who figured out (mostly). I also found myself wanting more. Amelia Atwater-Rhodes left plenty of room for another book in this magical world. More world and character building could make for an exciting series.
July 7, 2012
This world is not our world. Inside this story the reader will find SingleEarth, vampires, shapeshifters, Tristes and the Bruja Guilds. Although each group may work with other groups, cooperation is the exception, not the norm. Sarik is a shapeshifting tiger that left her clan after her human sister was brutally murdered and became a mediator for SingleEarth, an organization that helps supernatural creatures. Alysia is a human with a checkered past in the Bruja Guilds, groups of assassins that have a mixed up honor system, who has found satisfaction working for SingleEarth. When an attack occurs at SingleEarth, both women must face the past they left and rediscover who can be really trusted. Can either woman survive the personal and political issues they thought they left behind?
Most of the main characters are introduced in the prologue and then their stories split before reuniting halfway through the book. The book is of a moderate length that made for a quick read, but the writing is stunted and the storyline varies from confusing to very simple. The book would have been a better read if the length was stretched and more detail was applied to the characters and storyline.
Most of the main characters are introduced in the prologue and then their stories split before reuniting halfway through the book. The book is of a moderate length that made for a quick read, but the writing is stunted and the storyline varies from confusing to very simple. The book would have been a better read if the length was stretched and more detail was applied to the characters and storyline.
September 23, 2013
I was wavering between three and four stars. I decided to go with four stars because while for the first half of the book I was not super invested and felt like I had no idea what was happening, the second half was really good and had some surprises. That being said, I had some problems.
I wish these books came with a key about the terms. Its been so long since I read the other books that I don't exactly remember all the specifics about the different groups. If I could remember I'm sure I would enjoy these new books more. They are so intricately connected. And yet its not like a retelling of the same thing over and over. However. The big fight at the end... was not satisfactory to me... The fight with Aubrey and Risika was epic and described so well... This one just kinda happened and fizzled. There were basically two main characters and one of them was a kind of flat character in my opinion.
Other than that, there was some sprinkling of romance but it like wasn't enough to really matter but it was still kind of there... It was weird.
I wish these books came with a key about the terms. Its been so long since I read the other books that I don't exactly remember all the specifics about the different groups. If I could remember I'm sure I would enjoy these new books more. They are so intricately connected. And yet its not like a retelling of the same thing over and over. However. The big fight at the end... was not satisfactory to me... The fight with Aubrey and Risika was epic and described so well... This one just kinda happened and fizzled. There were basically two main characters and one of them was a kind of flat character in my opinion.
Other than that, there was some sprinkling of romance but it like wasn't enough to really matter but it was still kind of there... It was weird.
February 26, 2015
I didn't realize I was starting in the middle of a series, which might explain why I had so much trouble getting into the the author's highly creative world where humans coexist with vampires, witches, shapeshifters, and even ghosts. Alysia has just been hired by SingleEarth, a humanitarian organization whose goal is to promote peace and understanding between supernatural beings and humans. Sarik who has been with SingleEarth for several years isn't so sure that Alysia's intentions are straightforward, especially since Alysia used to be a third-level member in an assassins' guild. Sarik has her own secrets too, as does her friend Jason the vampire. All their back stories could have done with more explaining. The book is only 219 pages--to cater to the short attention span of teens? It could do with more exposition. I thought perhaps it was preparing for a sequel, because there were a lot of things left unfinished and unsatisfied. But the next book in the Den of Shadows series does not carry on with these characters.
January 2, 2013
I originally wasn't sure if I would consider this more a Den of Shadows or Kiesha'ra book as it involves both shapeshifters and vampires, especially the Mistari and references to the Serpiente. I found the emphasize on the brutality of the Mistari interesting, especially as they were the mediating clan for the Serpiente and Avian war, being the "neutral territory." The tie ins between Sahara, Jason, Christian and Alyssia are complex at the best of times. Fascinating how they constantly cross paths without really wanting to. Was glad that Jason showed up at the end for the challenge as it was his rightful place and put the priorities back in place for the pairs nicely. Kind of hope the cubs decide to stay with Sahara, but could see them choosing to leave with the way they had been raised too. Overall it had a lot of information both about the Mistari and Onyx. Also nice to see Ravyn again as I did like her in Midnight Predator.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 3, 2013
This is the most complicated and convoluted plotline that the author has ever written (as she whines about briefly in her dedication), but I think she manages to pull it off without muddling anything up. I got a bit frustrated during the middle stages because there was way too much happenning and way too many characters being thrown into the story without explanation, but by the end it all made sense. I think some of the extraneous details could have been left out though, because there is really way too much material being crammed into the 200-odd pages in this book. Next time she wants to write this complex of a story she should stretch it out into a 3 book trilogy. Not only would this give her more space to work with, and give her fans more material to read, but it would make a lot of sense from a marketing perspective!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews