Color me confused. Color me absolutely, flabbergasted. I don't know what colors represent these feelings, but pick a color, any color, because at this point it doesn't even matter, just like this book. What did I just read?, but more importantly, what am I missing that has apparently lulled the entire Paranormal Romance section into a sense of awe, while leaving me flummoxed on the sidelines? Well we're going to attempt to figure it out, but get ready - unpopular view ahead.
I don't set out to be a hard ass, I really don't. I come into these books always ready to give five stars, when credit is due. I expect only what is promised to me by the synopsis (even taking into account that the synopsis may not be written by the actual author), and what the author promises me within her own prose. That's it. Blood Laws' synopsis promised me a hot romance between an immortal and a woman of mysterious origins. It also promised me a revenge storyline, that's it, nothing else. In turn, this is all I wanted. Then I started reading, and Foss began to promise me more, and I was on board - let me remind you that she's the one that started her story with a 200 year old immortal treaty - a classic case of high stakes immortal warfare that has bled into modern times. And before that, let me remind you that Foss even provided a glossary of terms to acclimate readers to her world, thereby promising me a story complex enough to require easy access to terminology. Now when I'm not reading PNR I spend a hefty amount of time in the pure fantasy category, so the glossary doesn't scare me, but it does increase my expectations. Again her doing, not mine. Then we set off at a run; there are Ichorians and Hydraians. There are fledgling immortals, conclaves, and blood laws. There is an organization including a paramilitary unit designed to destroy rogue supernaturals. There is so much, and I am so ready for it.
Foss starts out all right. Although I originally found the prose stilted, reading more like she intended to publish this in first person and changed her mind at the last minute, I continued on and at the beginning I really did enjoy myself. Insert Issac, typical hot male, made hotter by his immortality, with piercing blue eyes and an inhumanly long 8 pack (why do we even call them 8 packs anymore?, the 'packs' seem to multiply with each romance I read). He's sufficiently hot, and the chemistry is at least turned on ( I'm not going to vouch for how hot it is at this point, because who gets turned on at a murder scene?). Then there's Astasiya; who although I believe her name is missing a couple of letters, is female and blond, with a secret, so I guess she's typical. They meet at the murder of her best friend and she learns a lot more about the world then she ever thought she would, Isaac is intrigued because his immortal gift fails to work on her, and he enters 'attractive stalk mode', determined to figure her out. Noting her connection to the CRF he endeavors to use her as a pawn (a point he tells her UP FRONT ABOUT) as they enter into a relationship of convenience while he plots revenge. Things even begin to take a turn for the better right around the time drama ensues in the form of Astasiya's interview, and with the introduction of both immortal sides, the plot starts boiling. I believe at this point I was ready to hand out 5 stars. Lots of plot, excitement, and paranormal activities, check, check, check. This is also the point where everything comes crashing down.
Astasiya recovers, but apparently the plot doesn't. From here on we enter the realm I like to call 'Immortal Beach Bash', whereby lots of hot, sexy people congregate together to discuss 'plans of action' only to smooze by the pool in scanty bikinis. Immortal Beach Bash, or IBB, doesn't always have to take place by water, in fact, I would argue that it begins even before this foolish 50 page interlude. I'm going to broaden its definition to include - any instance by where plot should be deepened, expanded, or explored, which instead spends time using a dangerous situation to deepen the romance/sexy times, in the face of peril. This includes hiding in a closet making out while evil is after you, sitting on the lap of your dangerous monster during a immortal meeting that should be discussing the relationship between Ichorians/Hydraians, the status of the supposed treaty, why Hydraians are in New York, a place they are banned from, what Ichorians should be doing about it, et cetera, but this is all missing because of the IBB taking place in the front row including light petting and general 'security' make outs. Foss you made up the centuries old war, not me. Instead this 100 page plus interlude where we skate around plot in exchange for monotonous make outs is just not cutting it. And it's not cutting it because Foss promises plot. If you don't promise plot then I can't dock you for not having it. I literally just finished reading a 300 page book about a romance between a caveman and a modern woman who spend their entire time in a cave. I gave it 5 stars. I only grade you on what you promise to deliver.
Let me get away from my whine fest for a minute and add some supporting facts. There are so many areas of interest left unexplored. Isaac believes he has discovered a hidden fledgling immortal in Stas. They continue this forbidden relationship even though she shouldn't exist and he's an Ichorian, her mortal enemy. Foss includes a seemingly insurmountable amount of evidence supporting why their relationship shouldn't last, including her blood being toxic to him once she's turned, and her not being allowed to live with him in New York once she becomes a full-fledged Hydraian. She even includes this oddly perfectly shaped heart rune on Stas back suggesting she has come into contact with the little mentioned race Seraphim. I guess it's a good thing for their relationship that Foss never chooses to revisit, address, or answer any of these juicy plotlines, but don't worry, it hangs in Issac's thoughts enough to provide the appropriate amount of eye-rolling inner hero turmoil. I even thought at one point I had it all figured out. That Stas is not a fledgling but the byproduct of a union between a Seraphim and an Ichorian, which would eliminate their inability to be together and allow for a HEA. Even though it was predictable I was excited for the reveal and was hoping we may even get some wings in the process. Well jokes on me, Foss just chose to ignore it instead. And before anyone comes after me by claiming that this is a series, let me address this fact right here, right now. The second book features a new romantic couple. And although they are characters we previously have met in Blood Laws, the fact that the character POVs shift suggests, that while the plot (are we even calling it that anymore? how about connection of words? ehh, not quite, i'll work on it) can linger, character specifics should be wrapped up in the here and now. Why will I care about Stas reveal (if it exists) if we're focused on new people? Either keep the characters and their plotline, or complete both and move on.
If you can't tell from above, the Issac/Stas relationship, while very physical, is far from deep and/or lasting. It subsists on nothing more than trust issues, Issac's famous neck rubs, and 'kiss me quiet' moments. I was actually proud of Issac because he does what most male characters fail to do, and divulges truth at an appropriate interval (mostly), and doesn't leave Astasiya in the dark. Too bad every time he tells her something she doesn't believe,s he has to think overly hard, connect the dots in the most random ways, and rediscover what the reader already knows (because Isaac told the truth) 40 pages later. Then when they're not playing 'truth or dare', Astasiya's playing 'he loves me, he loves me not' as she constantly plays the wounded card every time it's brought to her attention that Isaac may actually be using her as a pawn for revenge, which he told her he would do back at the beginning (you forgot about that didn't you?) But guess what?!, he never actually uses her as a pawn because instead of actually showing up for orientation at her new job, which would get her closer to CRF (the paranormal organization) and Issac's revenge quest, we get naked in a pool, IBB style.
So in summation, by Blood Laws' end we have accomplished...nothing. Let me revisit my expectations. Plot - I'm going to downgrade it and just say I'm looking for the revenge plot only (even though Foss has opened this giant worm hole of interspecies warfare - which I will completely ignore, although I could write an entire other review about how it doesn't make sense that so many fledglings exist in New York, created by the same species set on their eradication, and that Osiris can't seem to find the Hamptons house Isaac keeps with his seven Hydraian bros and his Ichorian maker and progeny.) It's finally revealed Issac wants revenge against CRF for the death of his sister, who is, in a turn of unsurprising events, not dead. Fun fact, unless there's a body, I won't ever believe it, and even then it's questionable. Do we then get revenge? no. Do we save Amelia? no. So where did that plotline resolve too? Nowhere. Except to continue as her own storyline as Tom moves her to a safe shelter to keep her out of Stas' sight (and thus away from Issac). Instead of trying to resolve the actual plot of this story, Foss chooses to try and three-dimensionalize Tom as a character, providing him with one POV in hopes of convincing readers that he can be viewed as a romantic lead in the next book (never mind the fact that he's been nothing but horrible the entire way through). So do we have a plot? nope. Next, romance; I think I've sufficiently addressed this, but by the end are Issac and Stas even together? Well they're making out instead of saving Amelia, but are there even any confessions of love? nope. Will they be able to end up together? doubtful at this point since we never addressed any of the paranormal barriers surrounding them. So is there a romance? Not in my opinion. I was only promised two things, plot and romance. I got neither. But Foss, I'll do you one better, and give you two things, stars.
P.s. Dear Foss, Astasiya's power is that she can command and/or compel people to do things. Again, your definition, not mine. Persuade is NOT a synonym for Command. Please stop using them as such. It doesn't make sense.
It has come to my attention that my review is for a previous edition of this story so some of my concerns may have been addressed in the new edition. Apparently the new edition was released today 3/25/2019. My comments apply to the previous version only as I have not read the newer one. I hope that it does a much better job at tying the plot together. If the summary of this title still interests you please make sure that you are reading the updated edition.