Dr. Laila Porter never knew what grief meant until Biomystic Security was attacked. Now that it’s over, the company is on its way to healing, but as truths come out, it proves harder to do. Padraig is back and he’s determined to reach his goal, no matter who he has to hurt to do it. When the team finds out, it becomes a race against the clock before thousands of lives are lost. Unfortunately, that isn’t the only thing troubling Laila. Her magic is on the fritz and she’s still healing from her last meeting with Padraig. Risking to push herself beyond her limits, Laila decides it’s time for him to pay. Defying orders, Laila makes a dangerous choice that will change her life forever. Will Laila survive this new world she finds herself surrounded by, or will she come out on top as the person she was meant to be all along?
This one has a lot going on still. Laila though for being so smart is being pretty....not ignorant or stupid and naive but she went off on her own and didn’t tell anyone, consistently.
I also feel like the guys aren’t taking her history into account for her actions. She doesn’t know how to rely on others, but they are forcing her to see that as a strength but I don’t feel like they completely give her more compassion on this. Some of their reactions didn’t make sense to me and haven’t been explained or explored so I don’t always understand their reasoning on certain things.
We get to see the Elementalists again and I’m still not a fan.
The battle was not as bad as I expected it to be but it was also slightly easier than I expect tbh. It came just a little too easily for me.
One of my favorite things about this series is the detailed exploration of magic and the particular problem or case that Laila and Biomystic Security happens to be dealing with for each book. In this fourth book Laila is driven to solve a serious threat and this is explored in detail, which I really liked. There was less romantic exploration in this book than the last one, with some of Laila's guys barely making an appearance, but I was happy with what was explored, especially since one of my favorite heroes had an extended appearance. I always struggle with Laila - and her stubbornness reaches new extremes in this book, but I also find that my frustrations with Laila at different times over the series are part of what make her a good character to read. Some previous side characters are back again, my favorite being her "kitty". As I think I have said before, I can see why some readers may not find this series all that exciting in terms of it having in-depth magic/adventure and little to no heat, but I personally find the adventures and "science" of Laila's magic and the various paranormal creatures a pleasant and interesting read and I'm looking forward to seeing how the author plans to wrap up their story in the final book, which is noted to be coming in the summer of 2019. 3.5 Stars
I’m still perplexed about this series. It’s like I almost LOVED it but at the same time am kind of…. Meh.
I think I am just fascinated by the world and the magic system and the different characters. The author did such an amazing job describing them and making everything come alive. The book didn’t feel like a data dump of information despite the massive amount of world building she did.
As for the characters… I started off liking the FMC and there were aspects of her I appreciated. But the farther I got into the series the less I liked her. The MMCs were good, though I think too many of them, and since the book was only from the FMC POV you don’t get to know the guys that well- though you definitely learned more as the story progressed.
As for the plot - as is common with RH, the FMC was a super powered Mary sue. She definitely hit speed bumps and had some learning moments… but minimally and not in the character building way I would have hoped. The way book 4 ended gave me hope of her maturing and becoming less naive and selfish… but TBD.
I read this entire 5-volume series during the pandemic/quarantine of 2020 (still going on, at this review's writing, May, 2020) Since I don't read a lot these days, and almost never finish a book, much a series, I wish I could say my perseverance was due to great writing, characters or plot.... But, no. Mostly, curiosity and boredom.
Since this is the final book of this author's first series, and she is young, I will be gentle. BUT, there are numerous editing/proofreading/formatting problems with this and every volume in this series. Plus, it's not actually a "series," by my definition. The entire series, with the exception of the final Epilogue, takes place within one calendar year. That makes it a stand-alone novel, IMO, and it should have been published that way.
She also added a Volume 2.5, which I did read, and that was even shorter than the others and just as mediocre. Sheesh.
But, since it is a 'series," my review of Volume I is: good start, mediocre set-up and not-credible back-stories. Two-dimensional characters almost uniformly, except for the one-D characters and the MC.
Dr. Laila Porter (see other reviews for summaries; I don't bother, here) has more depth than any other characters, and I did find her interesting. However, there are so many holes in the world-building here that I can't even get started. I suspended my disbelief and just went along for the ride.
Then, there is the whole polyamory/"reverse harem" aspect, with which I am not the least bit familiar as a writing genre. Is it? The online definition of this term fits this use: "A 'reverse harem' includes three or more characters who potentially show romantic interest in a female protagonist....A genre in manga and anime." BUT, that is NOT what a females-comprised "harem" is, so why the use of that term? And, this is not "manga" or "anime," so, I'm baffled.
I do like some Urban Fantasy and some Paranormal genre books, and this is both, IMO, with a lot of Romance/sex thrown in (somewhat gratuitously, it seems to me, and characters are having sexual fantasies/thoughts and conversations way too often (e.g., in the middle of a battle, injury recovery, kidnapping, etc.). There were many things I did like about this book, and it was free, so I bought the other ebooks and continued (since each Volume read like about 4 -8 chapters of a regular novel).
She added an additional "volume," 2.5, from the POVs/backstories for each of the male "harem" characters. Not very well-done at all. Later Volumes in this 'series" are interesting, but even more mediocre
If you're bored, if you like graphic interspecies but heterosexual and mostly vanilla sex, if you like descriptions of "magic," "power," shapeshifters, vampires, and witches, etc.,and a strong, smart, but impulsive and adolescent (actually ad behaviorally/emotionally) cis-gender female MC you'll like this just fine.
(See first volume's review for "shelves" categories I chose.)
The Biomystic Security series is a finished series, and because I really enjoyed it I decided to read the entire series before writing my reviews (without spoilers, no worries). This is a single POV series, with an exception for book 2.5 that is written from the men's perspective. The relationships know a slow burn.
Dr. Laila Porter is a magical genius, but also a young woman with a difficult past and plenty of trust issues. I liked to read about her personal growth throughout this series and see her men help her to find ways to heal. This is a mixed harem, both in species as in personalities, and all these men add something important to their relationships. I enjoyed the action that is the most important part of every book; it is always fun to read about the bad guys eating dust.
Laila is still a young woman, and you can't escape that fact while reading. Personally I liked it because it felt closer to reality, but I know a young fmc isn't for everyone. But if you like plenty of action, a little bit of laughter, and a young woman growing up and finding her own place, than I highly suggest reading this series.
I didn’t enjoy this one as much as the last book, but the return of my favorite behesiffkitty made it worthwhile.
Laila made a lot of idiotic and impulsive decisions—I’m talking tstl territory—that made me want to shake some sense into her. I do want to clarify that this wasn’t a result of poor characterization or writing, but rather meant to represent Laila’s unbalanced state of mind following the traumas of the last book. Knowing that doesn’t made it any less frustrating though.
There were a few grammar and spelling errors, but nothing too distracting. The same can’t be said for plot continuation errors. Burwell referred to the behesiff by name only—Siitha—at 19%, as if we the readers knew that was the behesiff’s name. However, in both Books 2 and 3, the behesiff is only ever referred to as exactly that—the behesiff. The author doesn’t address the fact that this is new information to the readers until 42% with the line, “I thought about Siitha, my recently named behesiff.”
I like the MFC but she’s starting to behave very stupidly. Her men kinda suck and this slow burn is becoming insufferable. I don’t know anything more about these characters than I did In the first two books. Their reactions to everything are so OTT for everything too. So damn moody.
She practically had to beg for them to even kiss her and yet they all claim they want her. I don’t blame her for not believing them. I understand waiting until feelings develop into love but they know she has issues with rejection stemming from her childhood.
So if they aren’t going to show her in physical ways they need to be showing her in other ways at least. But they barely do. Most of them time they spend together is for work, training, or running errands you would with a friend. The only dates they really take her on are that weekly dinner reservation, which is like 0 effort. That’s what couples do when things grow stale and they are making a minimal effort. 🙄 she deserves more, even if she is being dumb in this book.
Well then! Laila done completely lost her ever loving mind ladies and gentlemen. Mhmm... she definitely tests the boundaries of harebrained, rash choices, and the consequences of those choices. If she didn’t have such good men, it would be well within reason for each and every one of them to have walked away and never look back.
I think she truly needed this wake up call however. It was the perfect opportunity for her to gain some perspective outside of her self centered 19 year old one. It was also nice to see her get a bit of retribution for a wrong that was committed.
I’m truly hoping that the last book finally has some real steam to it. I’ve been dying for her to be with her men and while there have been a few sexy times, mostly it’s just been story. While I love a great story, I am not ashamed to say that sexy times can be just as important.
Still, the writing is fantastic and the story kept me turning pages from beginning to end.
If you like more then a one night stand in fantasy reverse harem then you need to read this series!!!!
It takes rare author to hook me into a character enough to read more than a book or two in tshe series without getting bored. But Jaliza Burwell did it flawlessly! She kept it at just the right pace not to slow which frustrates me but not to fast making the character's only 2D. I have laughed and cried in this book feeling all of Lialas emotions along the way. I saw a lot of myself in Liala and I imagine most people can too! I did partially want to tell at Liala but l also wanted to give the men a tongue lashing if you haven't read the books yet you will just have to read and find out. Which trust me is sooo worth it. I'm sad I only have one more in the series to read😢 But all good stories come to an end. I will just have to read Burwells other books!
For me, the men made the FMC smaller, they diminished who she was to the point she apologised. She told them she could find the bad guy, they ignored her, and then berated her for not asking for help.
As a general rule this was prevalent throughout the series, but was the strongest in this book. She would have been so much more with different men or no men, or less men - but these were overly controlling and not in a sexy way.
Personally this feels like the writer believes women are lesser? Or should pass opinions by women their “husbands”. It had a definite feel of someone who isn’t allowed their own opinions or at the very least, gets gaslit into changing their opinions.
Liked it, but there were some speed bumps along the way.
The story was fast paced and action packed, although it does get off track a little bit at times (and we don’t see any resolution between BMS and the Enforcers.
Laila’s emotions are all over the place, and this is the first time she’s felt like the teenager she’s meant to be. The character interactions between her and the guys is a little off too. She is more defensive and erratic, but I’m hoping that tapers off as she comes to grips with her new identity as an elemental.
Ok, I have read all the books for this series and recommend to anyone who likes fantasy/supernatural books. The world building is one that sucks you in. Ok so I'm this book the main Laila still can't use all her amazing magic(gets bad headache if she uses powerful spells) so we see a different way she does things. The interaction with her lovers is great and we get to see more of the ones that have not been showcased that much.
I feel like this was a good book, it stayed interesting. I could rarely guess what would happen next.
The burn never really develops though. All these guys love this girl but in all the books I feel like she is silly and doesn’t really care about them although she claims to.
So steamy romance this series is NOT. A good series none the less. I suggest starting at book 1.
Definitely my favourite of the series so far! I love the storyline of this book. The guys are super sweet and Laila is so sweet, she just has the sweetest soul and the way she looks at things is different and I love that. Also the creature she has that follows her just reminds me so much of the dogs that don’t realise how big they are and they tend to be a little bit goofy but so happy.
Her journey is progressing step by step and her relationships are deepening, even if she doesn’t know they are. This one deals with those truths, along with the fallout from the break in. It’s intriguing and very emotional, addressing both the supernatural as well as the very human reactions they are ALL going through.
Book 4 conflicted me. Again it was well written and the story line moved forward. I struggled at points in the book, as one of my pet peeves is a smart person doing something obviously dumb and the actions of the main character doesn’t make sense. But the story moved on and things started making sense and by the end I’m excited to read book 5.
Right, so Laila is really slapable right? Please tell me I'm not alone??? In one way I really understand why she makes the decisions she does but also... WHHHYYYY??? Having said that, it meant we got a great story and you can really see the character development! So now everything will be nice and perfect and pink and roses, right... right??
Rarely do I make it to the 4th book in a series. This series has maintained my interest really well. I like all the characters and I am still invested in how they turn out. Really love the World the author has created, especially love that thus far there has not been a war, there have been difficulties and sadness but no wars…
As always Doctor Laila Porteris in the midst of trouble, she finds unexpected answers and learns some truths but still manages to stay herself. This book was fantastic and entertaining. Jaliza writes fantastic stories which are enjoyable and once again succeeds.
I love this series. I relate so much to Laila, even though we are nothing alike. I love that she's vulnerable, and needs reminding of her magnetism by her men. Oh! And I loved that we got a taste of Shanton in this book. Love me some Dragon lol.
Well written series of books with good character development in an interesting world. I’m looking forward to the next book and wondering what the next theme will be after this series is complete.
This book was intense! The conclusion of this chapter of Laila’s life solved a lot of the stories issues, and I can’t wait to read the final book to see how she overcomes the rest of the challenges she faces.
4.5 because Laila was so stubborn she was a pain in the a$$ 😭 I missed the guys for the majority of the book BUT I’m glad we got to know Shanton more. Tbh I didn’t like him that much before and I had no idea how he was going to compete with the others. Now he does 🥰
Finally someone told her she was being stupid, reckless and a couple of other choice words! This particular book was very little about relationship development because characters had to develop first. I have high hopes for the next book.
Another awesome addition to Lailas story. So much happened on this adventure, and her character had so much more growth. I can't wait to see what the conclusion to her story is.