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Blood of Zeus #1
Blood of Zeus
An ancient grudge. A forbidden love.
The only thing worse than being a demon is being a Valari. As an undergraduate at Los Angeles’s Alameda University, Kara Valari can sometimes succeed at forgetting she’s both. Lost between the pages of the classics and tucked into the shadows of lecture halls, she can dodge the paparazzi’s lenses as well as her family’s publicized dramas—not to mention their private expectations. She has one more year to feed her true passions. Then she’ll be expected to fulfill a much darker destiny.
Cursed with inexplicable strength and god-like stature, literature professor Maximus Kane knows all about darkness. Every day he’s reminded of the missteps of his childhood and the devastating consequences they’ve had on those dearest to him. To atone, Maximus spends his nights alone and his days submerged in the quiet life of academia. His existence has become a study in control, and he’s become a master at it—until Kara Valari walks into his toughest course.
Viscerally, Kara’s everything he craves. Logically, she’s everything he rejects. She’s a starlet of privilege. She’s also a student. And after one touch, he can’t deny that she’s awakened something in him that may never go dormant. Nothing about her makes sense, but everything about her feels right. Especially in the deepest strands of his DNA, which are still shadows of mystery to him—a mystery Kara seems determined to uncover.
She’s Hollywood royalty. She’s forbidden fruit. And he’s pretty sure she could be the answer to everything.
The only thing worse than being a demon is being a Valari. As an undergraduate at Los Angeles’s Alameda University, Kara Valari can sometimes succeed at forgetting she’s both. Lost between the pages of the classics and tucked into the shadows of lecture halls, she can dodge the paparazzi’s lenses as well as her family’s publicized dramas—not to mention their private expectations. She has one more year to feed her true passions. Then she’ll be expected to fulfill a much darker destiny.
Cursed with inexplicable strength and god-like stature, literature professor Maximus Kane knows all about darkness. Every day he’s reminded of the missteps of his childhood and the devastating consequences they’ve had on those dearest to him. To atone, Maximus spends his nights alone and his days submerged in the quiet life of academia. His existence has become a study in control, and he’s become a master at it—until Kara Valari walks into his toughest course.
Viscerally, Kara’s everything he craves. Logically, she’s everything he rejects. She’s a starlet of privilege. She’s also a student. And after one touch, he can’t deny that she’s awakened something in him that may never go dormant. Nothing about her makes sense, but everything about her feels right. Especially in the deepest strands of his DNA, which are still shadows of mystery to him—a mystery Kara seems determined to uncover.
She’s Hollywood royalty. She’s forbidden fruit. And he’s pretty sure she could be the answer to everything.
217 pages, Paperback
First published August 25, 2020
775 people are currently reading
15541 people want to read
About the author
Meredith Wild
43 books10.3k followersMeredith Wild is a #1 New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author of 22 novels. After self-publishing her debut novel Hardwired in 2013, Wild used her ten years of experience as a tech entrepreneur to form her own publishing imprint, forging relationships with major retails, and becoming one of the first indie authors to become fully stocked in brick-and-mortar bookstore chains nationwide.
Both traditionally and self-published, Wild’s books have hit No. 1 on the New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestsellers lists. She has been featured on CBS This Morning, The Today Show, the New York Times, The Hollywood Reporter, Publishers Weekly, and The Examiner. Her foreign rights have been sold in over 23 languages. She resides in Florida with her many cats.
Both traditionally and self-published, Wild’s books have hit No. 1 on the New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestsellers lists. She has been featured on CBS This Morning, The Today Show, the New York Times, The Hollywood Reporter, Publishers Weekly, and The Examiner. Her foreign rights have been sold in over 23 languages. She resides in Florida with her many cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 631 reviews
February 22, 2021
IMO, the laziest plot device is when the author withholds vital information from the characters in order to create conflict. We have Maximus' mother who chose to not tell him anything about his father because... reasons. Then Kara chooses not to tell Maximus she's a demon because... reasons. Then Kara's grandpa chooses to not tell her why he'd been ostracised because... reasons.
In the meantime, the reader already intuited these secrets which makes it all ridiculous and anti-climatic.
Why? DNF@ 80%
February 17, 2021
Book: Blood of Zeus
Authors: Meredith Wild, Angel Payne
Type: Blood of Zeus #1
Genre: Paranormal Romance
POV: First Person - Dual
Rating: 4 Hearts!
Name/Age: Maximus Kane - 28 ┃ Kara Valari - 22/23
Setting: Los Angeles, California.
Published: August 25, 2020
The enchantress with the firestorm gaze that I can't banish from my mind. The searing touches that I can't wash off my skin. The energy, connective and captivating, that I can't erase from my senses.
This is definitely right up there with some of the best student/professor romance I've ever read but with a twist of paranormal to it. Being a fan of forbidden love stories, I found myself in the mood for the thrill, the pulse pounding, and the anxiety that a good forbidden romance induces. Blood of Zeus delivered exactly that. The sexual tension was amazing. That's really the standout here: how it builds and builds and they haven't even been together until well into the end of the book. I liked the fact that this book has interesting subplots (Jesse, the underworld although we don't get to know much about it, Kara's Gramps and, Kell and Jesse's connection), not to mention the coming-of-age element to it. I love the slow building that completely sucks you in and connects you to the main characters and really invests you in the outcome of the story.
It felt a thousand kinds of wrong.
But a million kinds of right.
Meredith Wild & Angel Payne have an amazing ability to write in a way that it's not just that you know what the characters are going through, you find yourself going through the journey with them. The writing was exceptional, it was poetic. They made every word jump out from the pages until you can't help but be mesmerized by them.
It's definitely not going to be the typical journey down the student/professor trope. It is so hot and so complex and so emotional and filled with so many ups and downs, twists and turns, some of them I did not see coming at all even though certain things gave them away. Maximus and Kara's journey was hard-fought, angsty, and just beautiful. Every step of the way, I cheered these two on.
And that cover. It was LUST at first sight. I am a well known cover whore and let me tell you, when my eyes came upon this deliciousness, I. HAD. TO. HAVE. IT.
How can I explain that Maximus is everything I never knew I wanted? How he doesn't look at me the way everyone else does? How I feel every time he does? How I might never, ever grow tired of it? Maybe I'm willing to sacrifice a life of lies to live a moment of truth.
Plot:
Safety: Safe with exception. Maximus has been celibate for a long time. Kara hasn't been with anyone in her life.
This book was everything that I wanted, craved and needed. The writing was flawless. The execution of the story line was on point as it had me on the edge of my seat. So if you are looking for a story that will have you consumed and begging for more, trust me when I tell you that YOU NEED TO READ THIS BOOK.
She's graceful curves and sensual shadows.
Sultry darkness and passionate light.
Blatant need and open desire.
But most of all, she's mine.
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August 25, 2020Now available everywhere!!
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EBOOK VERSION
Kindle 👉https://amzn.to/36n59c8
Kindle UK 👉https://amzn.to/2RSaDHW
Nook 👉http://bit.ly/2Pum7hO
Apple Books 👉https://apple.co/34Wvf5x
Kobo 👉http://bit.ly/2P5tbT1
GooglePlay 👉http://bit.ly/2PzFPZo
PRINT VERSION
Amazon Paperback 👉https://amzn.to/2LDMSiB
Barnes & Noble 👉http://bit.ly/2LVrQwb
Books-a-Million 👉http://bit.ly/2LR9n3O
August 27, 2020
3.75 Stars! LONG review!
This was one of my most anticipated releases for the year, and while I really enjoyed it and LOVE the cover (Brock Ohurn baby😏), it just didn't end up being as epic as I hoped it would be. Though, I am still holding out hope the next books will make up for it since it is part of a series. 🤞
I actually loved the start of it, and how it is kind of a role reversal type of book. The heroine is a bit more forward type of character (actually she only was in the beginning), rich, a demon with a bit more mysterious past, and who is in an arranged engagement. The hero grew up poor, doesn't really know who he is, trying to figure out who the heroine is most of the book, and has to face more hurdles to be with the heroine (something I'm excited for there to be in book 2) Totally my type of book. But as the book went on, their personalities and who they are, just became a bit bland.
Such as since she is a demon, I expected her to maybe be somewhat experienced or promiscuous, so I was VERY disappointed when we found out the heroine was a virgin🙄 even if it was for a reason. And then the hero, I think I was expecting a bit more darkness or alpha-ness, or have a broody nature to him, maybe just to spice things up a bit, but he was actually probably one of the nicest characters ever LOL, even a bit naive.
I wish I could give this one a 5 star too, but so many things were lacking and it was a bit disappointing. One would be the teacher/student trope. I so hoped it was a bigger part of the story, or at least have an age gap between them, which there wasn't really one sadly😭 The book was actually a sweeter, less angst and drama, type of book. Like a coffee shop type of read. There were some sexy parts, and I think the forbidden-ness was supposed to cause more angst, bur it didn't really. Everything, including the romance, was just pretty calm and sweet. The calm before the storm maybe?
Another thing that bothered me, was the lack of details. For example, descriptions and their ages,which were total mysteries the entire book. I'm guessing she's in her early 20's since she's in college. The hero mentioned he was young to be a professor, and he acts pretty young too. We finally find out at the end that he is 27 from the heroine who tells the reader that actually, and I'm just a little confused how she even knew how old he was when they literally don't have any conversations about details of themselves like that. I also expected him to be a bit older🤔
I'm also confused on the hero's past? So here is this super strong dude who mentioned he has to be super careful about humans and how he wishes he can have more contact. Then we have his friend making fun of him because he's never with a woman or even entertains them, and the hero makes comments of how he prefers courting women and that sex isn't everything. So I'm thinking, if this dude is scared of being even close to his best friend for example, that maybe he's more innocent with sex. Maybe not a virgin, but just more inexperienced? Especially because every comment the best friend makes about him, sounds like the hero is legit never with women and the hero couldn't rebuff it. But then all of a sudden we get to when they're together, and he says how it's more special with her than anyone he has ever been with, and just how at ease he is with sex, and it just seemed like he's been with a lot more women than he let on. Then he has condoms in his nightstand, which I was under the impression he didn't bring women back to his apartment because again, the friend insinuated that. I'm fine with his sex past, but I just needed more details on it and how he was able to be with women at all because of his strength. It was all just too vague.
The last thing that bothered me, was I felt like the characters were wishy washy. Their thoughts and decisions constantly contradicted their actions when it came to each other. Or they would make a decision and stick to it for legit like only a second. Or the heroine for example, who was the main pursuer at first, she chases him but everytime they get too close, she completely backs out and is running away, which got pretty annoying.
So overall, although I did really enjoy this book, I think i was just expecting more out of it. So many things were just too vague or rushed, and the development was a bit off. I do love the premise of the book though, and the uniqueness of it, and I'm still super excited for the next book, though I will probably wait to read it until the last book comes out.
Do i recommend it? I guess I do, but I would have to read the next books to be sure. Is it worth the price? Ehhhh, that's where it gets tricky. If you're a paperback hoarder like me, I would say hell yeah it's worth it. But for the ebook?😬. For how many pages and how this book was really just of the progression of their relationship with nothing really happening, it just wasn't enough of a full story for me to believe that this book is worth $8 for an incomplete story as an ebook, and 24$ for probably only 900 pages worth. Maybe for paperback, but not ebook, at least for me. So I guess that's up to whoever is fine with the price.
Safety:
No OW drama/ maybe a bit OM seeing as she is engaged but she doesn't entertain him
No Cheating
Only with each other in the book
No manho
Virgin h/non virgin H
This was one of my most anticipated releases for the year, and while I really enjoyed it and LOVE the cover (Brock Ohurn baby😏), it just didn't end up being as epic as I hoped it would be. Though, I am still holding out hope the next books will make up for it since it is part of a series. 🤞
I actually loved the start of it, and how it is kind of a role reversal type of book. The heroine is a bit more forward type of character (actually she only was in the beginning), rich, a demon with a bit more mysterious past, and who is in an arranged engagement. The hero grew up poor, doesn't really know who he is, trying to figure out who the heroine is most of the book, and has to face more hurdles to be with the heroine (something I'm excited for there to be in book 2) Totally my type of book. But as the book went on, their personalities and who they are, just became a bit bland.
Such as since she is a demon, I expected her to maybe be somewhat experienced or promiscuous, so I was VERY disappointed when we found out the heroine was a virgin🙄 even if it was for a reason. And then the hero, I think I was expecting a bit more darkness or alpha-ness, or have a broody nature to him, maybe just to spice things up a bit, but he was actually probably one of the nicest characters ever LOL, even a bit naive.
I wish I could give this one a 5 star too, but so many things were lacking and it was a bit disappointing. One would be the teacher/student trope. I so hoped it was a bigger part of the story, or at least have an age gap between them, which there wasn't really one sadly😭 The book was actually a sweeter, less angst and drama, type of book. Like a coffee shop type of read. There were some sexy parts, and I think the forbidden-ness was supposed to cause more angst, bur it didn't really. Everything, including the romance, was just pretty calm and sweet. The calm before the storm maybe?
Another thing that bothered me, was the lack of details. For example, descriptions and their ages,which were total mysteries the entire book. I'm guessing she's in her early 20's since she's in college. The hero mentioned he was young to be a professor, and he acts pretty young too. We finally find out at the end that he is 27 from the heroine who tells the reader that actually, and I'm just a little confused how she even knew how old he was when they literally don't have any conversations about details of themselves like that. I also expected him to be a bit older🤔
I'm also confused on the hero's past? So here is this super strong dude who mentioned he has to be super careful about humans and how he wishes he can have more contact. Then we have his friend making fun of him because he's never with a woman or even entertains them, and the hero makes comments of how he prefers courting women and that sex isn't everything. So I'm thinking, if this dude is scared of being even close to his best friend for example, that maybe he's more innocent with sex. Maybe not a virgin, but just more inexperienced? Especially because every comment the best friend makes about him, sounds like the hero is legit never with women and the hero couldn't rebuff it. But then all of a sudden we get to when they're together, and he says how it's more special with her than anyone he has ever been with, and just how at ease he is with sex, and it just seemed like he's been with a lot more women than he let on. Then he has condoms in his nightstand, which I was under the impression he didn't bring women back to his apartment because again, the friend insinuated that. I'm fine with his sex past, but I just needed more details on it and how he was able to be with women at all because of his strength. It was all just too vague.
The last thing that bothered me, was I felt like the characters were wishy washy. Their thoughts and decisions constantly contradicted their actions when it came to each other. Or they would make a decision and stick to it for legit like only a second. Or the heroine for example, who was the main pursuer at first, she chases him but everytime they get too close, she completely backs out and is running away, which got pretty annoying.
So overall, although I did really enjoy this book, I think i was just expecting more out of it. So many things were just too vague or rushed, and the development was a bit off. I do love the premise of the book though, and the uniqueness of it, and I'm still super excited for the next book, though I will probably wait to read it until the last book comes out.
Do i recommend it? I guess I do, but I would have to read the next books to be sure. Is it worth the price? Ehhhh, that's where it gets tricky. If you're a paperback hoarder like me, I would say hell yeah it's worth it. But for the ebook?😬. For how many pages and how this book was really just of the progression of their relationship with nothing really happening, it just wasn't enough of a full story for me to believe that this book is worth $8 for an incomplete story as an ebook, and 24$ for probably only 900 pages worth. Maybe for paperback, but not ebook, at least for me. So I guess that's up to whoever is fine with the price.
Safety:
No OW drama/ maybe a bit OM seeing as she is engaged but she doesn't entertain him
No Cheating
Only with each other in the book
No manho
Virgin h/non virgin H
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 25, 2020
My immediate reaction when I finished this book was "Great start to the series. I need to get my hands on book two like NOW!!!" and I'm not kidding.
There is a deep connection between Kara and Maximus but their Professor/student relationship needs to stay just that way, he cannot and will not jeopardize anything ever again. But after one touch she's what he craves....
Read my full review along with an excerpt here: https://bit.ly/NBReviewBOZ
**I have voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers Copy of this book for my Blog, Nadine's Obsessed with Books**
You can find me here: https://linktr.ee/NadineBookaholic
There is a deep connection between Kara and Maximus but their Professor/student relationship needs to stay just that way, he cannot and will not jeopardize anything ever again. But after one touch she's what he craves....
Read my full review along with an excerpt here: https://bit.ly/NBReviewBOZ
**I have voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers Copy of this book for my Blog, Nadine's Obsessed with Books**You can find me here: https://linktr.ee/NadineBookaholic
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October 2, 2020UPDATE, 10/2/2020: You guyyyzzzz! HEART OF FIRE, the follow-up story to BLOOD OF ZEUS, is done and off to our formatter! We are SO PSYCHED about the 2nd half of Maximus and Kara's story. If you haven't had a chance to read BLOOD OF ZEUS yet, be sure to get all their emotional goodness into your soul, to get ready! We love you all for the wonderful love for these two.
UPDATE: WOW!! The reader and reviewer love for Kara and Maximus is just...GAH. Thank you, world, for loving our demon and her demigod with such passion and fire! We guarantee you're going to LOVE "Heart Of Fire" just as much!
We really hope you all love Maximus and Kara's story. Writing this one with Meredith Wild was such a wonderful, awesome ride--and an immense honor. So thrilled the book is here for your enjoyment now too!
UPDATE: WOW!! The reader and reviewer love for Kara and Maximus is just...GAH. Thank you, world, for loving our demon and her demigod with such passion and fire! We guarantee you're going to LOVE "Heart Of Fire" just as much!
We really hope you all love Maximus and Kara's story. Writing this one with Meredith Wild was such a wonderful, awesome ride--and an immense honor. So thrilled the book is here for your enjoyment now too!
August 30, 2020
2 stars
A book ive been waiting half a year to be released is a total flop. The characters and the plot all fell flat. To summarize, this book was all window dressing with nothing of substance inside. The story just got bogged down under:
-The heroine being a celebrity (I think her and her family were supposed to represent the Kardashians??)
-Student teacher relationship with Hero being a professor of literature (btw this felt like a total rip off of Gabriels Inferno)
-And on top of those two things, both H and h are paranormal beings. (H is a Demi god and h is a demon)
Even though allllll of that extra stuff is going on, the book still felt formulaic and predictable. I felt like I knew exactly what was going to happen before it happened. Like I havent read a scene where the H and h are making out and about to get the sexy times on but then they get interrupted just so the story drags along. Same old same old.
All of this on top of each other made everything so jumbled and over the top. Like I said, all decoration with no real substance. Especially the Hero's character. He was a total wimp when it came to going after the heroine. And youre telling me this guy is the son of Zeus??? Wasnt buying what this author was selling.
So why 2 stars instead of 1? The hero wasnt aware of the paranormal world and the heroine is the one that introduces him. Usually its the heroine that has to play catchup. Thats the only part I liked.
Safety: Safe as far as I could tell, even though this book ends on a cliffhanger
No cheating/no other people after meeting/ no OW/OM drama yet
Heroine is a virgin and is 'betrothed' to some other demon
H isnt a manwhore but his experience level was never spelled out
Lots of push and pull from both parties.
A book ive been waiting half a year to be released is a total flop. The characters and the plot all fell flat. To summarize, this book was all window dressing with nothing of substance inside. The story just got bogged down under:
-The heroine being a celebrity (I think her and her family were supposed to represent the Kardashians??)
-Student teacher relationship with Hero being a professor of literature (btw this felt like a total rip off of Gabriels Inferno)
-And on top of those two things, both H and h are paranormal beings. (H is a Demi god and h is a demon)
Even though allllll of that extra stuff is going on, the book still felt formulaic and predictable. I felt like I knew exactly what was going to happen before it happened. Like I havent read a scene where the H and h are making out and about to get the sexy times on but then they get interrupted just so the story drags along. Same old same old.
All of this on top of each other made everything so jumbled and over the top. Like I said, all decoration with no real substance. Especially the Hero's character. He was a total wimp when it came to going after the heroine. And youre telling me this guy is the son of Zeus??? Wasnt buying what this author was selling.
So why 2 stars instead of 1? The hero wasnt aware of the paranormal world and the heroine is the one that introduces him. Usually its the heroine that has to play catchup. Thats the only part I liked.
Safety: Safe as far as I could tell, even though this book ends on a cliffhanger
No cheating/no other people after meeting/ no OW/OM drama yet
Heroine is a virgin and is 'betrothed' to some other demon
H isnt a manwhore but his experience level was never spelled out
Lots of push and pull from both parties.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 26, 2019
Wow! I was blown away by Blood of Zeus!! When Meredith Wild and Angel Payne announced they were teaming up to bring us a new series, I could not contain my excitement. Two of my unicorn authors together? How could this be anything other than amazing? And I will tell you, it is even better than I could have imagined! I was 110% invested and engaged in this book right from the start. I read it voraciously in one sitting. And even though I am not normally a rereader, I am already excited to read this one again! Strong and sexy, Maximus is to die for! There is a mystery and an unknown element to him that I look forward to finding out more about. And Kara? She is a strong heroine with her own destiny. I am highly anticipating the next book. I know it is going to be epic!
July 28, 2020
Reread, just as good as the first time!
This was my first foray into the PNR genre, and let me say, it was the perfect introduction.
It was magnetic, the connection between Kara and Maximus. Their story and what they feel when they're together absolutely consumed me. To the point that I felt like I was a voyeur in their world. Peeking into their most intimate thoughts and emotions.
Maximus's best friend Jesse, and Kara's grandfather, were my favorite supporting characters. The bonds formed are unbreakable.
As someone who has mostly shied away from paranormal romance, I loved that even though the biggest plot point is Kara's demonic lineage and Maximus's unknown, but inexplicable, lineage, it doesn't feel overly mystical or paranormal. They are written in such a humanized way that you don't even think about those things when you're reading. You're just sucked into their connection and the obstacles they face. Both our characters are extremely self-aware, in different ways. And let me tell you, their slow burn leaves sparks along the way.
Highly recommended and my final read for 2019. I was absolutely engrossed from start to finish.
This was my first foray into the PNR genre, and let me say, it was the perfect introduction.
It was magnetic, the connection between Kara and Maximus. Their story and what they feel when they're together absolutely consumed me. To the point that I felt like I was a voyeur in their world. Peeking into their most intimate thoughts and emotions.
Maximus's best friend Jesse, and Kara's grandfather, were my favorite supporting characters. The bonds formed are unbreakable.
As someone who has mostly shied away from paranormal romance, I loved that even though the biggest plot point is Kara's demonic lineage and Maximus's unknown, but inexplicable, lineage, it doesn't feel overly mystical or paranormal. They are written in such a humanized way that you don't even think about those things when you're reading. You're just sucked into their connection and the obstacles they face. Both our characters are extremely self-aware, in different ways. And let me tell you, their slow burn leaves sparks along the way.
Highly recommended and my final read for 2019. I was absolutely engrossed from start to finish.
September 1, 2020
All of a sudden this book was all over my feed, then it popped up on my library's website, so it seemed a no brainer to click to get it. Sadly this one didn't work out for me, I gave up at 30%. As I was reading this one I felt like I was missing something, like a prequel or if this book/series was spun off of another. I was mildly intrigued by Kara, who seemed like a good person, one who needed a better family. I really liked that she bucked them to visit Gramps, who was a bit sad, due to the situation he was in. I get that Maximus is the hero we should swoon over, but I didn't get it, he was only slightly interesting to me and his guilt complex drove me nuts, along with his fighting his attraction to Kara. I just got to a point where I didn't care what happened to these two, this one just wasn't for me.
August 18, 2020
When I heard that two of my favorite authors were teaming up to deliver an epic PNR series I could not be any more excited! Maximus and Kara were sexy and so compelling. I loved the attraction between them and how their connection came right off the pages.
Overall I loved how mysterious Kara and Maximus' past was and the tiny breadcrumbs of secrets. This story was tantalizing and delicious and the perfect new series to jump into head first! 4 stars! ~Ratula
Overall I loved how mysterious Kara and Maximus' past was and the tiny breadcrumbs of secrets. This story was tantalizing and delicious and the perfect new series to jump into head first! 4 stars! ~Ratula
May 4, 2020
I love everything about this story! Maximus is so intense, so tortured by his past actions that he can't let anyone too close. He has a secret and truly doesn't even know it. Those closest to him won't tell.
Kara has a secret too and wishes she could forget it. Her life is mapped out for her and she has no control over her future.
Together they are fire and lightning! Together they are on a path that neither one knows how to move forward.
Book 1, Blood of Zeus is an exciting buildup to what can only be a battle of epic proportions for love!
I am vibrating with glee having read this and thoroughly anticipate the next book of the series!
Kara has a secret too and wishes she could forget it. Her life is mapped out for her and she has no control over her future.
Together they are fire and lightning! Together they are on a path that neither one knows how to move forward.
Book 1, Blood of Zeus is an exciting buildup to what can only be a battle of epic proportions for love!
I am vibrating with glee having read this and thoroughly anticipate the next book of the series!
September 12, 2024
Bei „Kiss of Thunder“ von Meredith Wild und Angel Payne muss ich ehrlich sagen, dass das Buch zu lesen, sich für mich wie ein schlechter Witz angefühlt hat. Besonders der Cliffhanger am Ende des Buches kann doch nur als Scherz gemeint sein. Oder?
Das Cover ist etwas hochwertiger gestaltet durch die glitzernde Schrift. Ansonsten ist es eher unauffällig und dunkel. In meinen Augen ist das Cover nicht ausschlaggebend, um das Buch zu kaufen. Der Schreibstil der Autorinnen war soweit gut zu lesen. Man hat auf jeden Fall nicht gemerkt, dass zwei Autorinnen an der Geschichte geschrieben bzw. an der Handlung mitgewirkt haben.
Die Charaktere haben mich nicht überzeugt. Kara ist ziemlich oberflächlich, eingebildet und hält sich aufgrund ihrer Abstammung für etwas besseres. Sie war mir sehr unsympathisch und ihr Verhalten gegenüber Maximus war für mich unangenehm zu lesen. Dieser sagte ihr von Anfang an, dass er ihr Professor ist und eine Beziehung mit ihm nicht geschehen darf. Dieses Thema verfliegt jedoch relativ schnell, sobald er sie privat trifft. Maximus wird insgesamt sehr soft dargestellt, was ich ganz gerne mochte. Er hat Angst mit seinen Fähigkeiten andere zu verletzen, weshalb er auf Abstand geht. Dieses Verhalten hat mich wiederum gestört, da ich es nicht mag, wenn die Charaktere sich selbst ihr Leben verbauen. Vor allem aufgrund von Situationen, die man leicht aus der Welt schaffen könnte. Bei ihm ist das natürlich etwas schwieriger, aber für mich persönlich war sein Verhalten einfach merkwürdig und selbstzerstörerisch.
Die Nebencharaktere bleiben sehr im Hintergrund. Wichtig für die Geschichte sind der Großvater von Kara und ihre Schwester sowie der beste Freund von Maximus, welcher in seiner Kindheit durch Maximus verletzt wurde. Außerdem der Dämon, dem Kara versprochen ist. Dieser wird erst gegen Ende des Buches relevant. Alles, was sozusagen im Klappentext angepriesen wird, passiert erst im letzten Drittel des Buches.
Auch die Handlung hat mich ziemlich enttäuscht und nicht wirklich überrascht. Ich hatte ehrlich gesagt nicht hohe Ansprüche an „Kiss of Thunder“, aber selbst diese wurden nicht erfüllt. Ich erinnere mich, dass das Buch überwiegend negative Rezensionen in Deutschland bekommen hat, als es erschien. Ich selbst hatte es seitdem auf meinem SuB und irgendwann kein Interesse mehr daran. Ich habe es mittlerweile dennoch gelesen, weil ich irgendwann ja auch mal Geld dafür ausgegeben habe. Nun, ich hätte mir mehr Tiefe gewünscht. Mehr Dialoge und Szenen, in denen es nicht nur um die sexuelle Spannung zwischen Kara und Maximus geht. Dass besser aufgeklärt wird, dass ein Verhältnis zwischen Professor und Studentin unangemessen ist und inwiefern das Leben von Kara‘s Familie durch den Pakt beeinflusst wird. Im Buch wird alles einfach damit erklärt, dass es Kara‘s Pflicht ist und sie keinen eigenen Willen haben darf.
Das Buch hat mich bloß an wenigen Stellen unterhalten können. Hier wurden mir Frauen zu sehr als Opfer dargestellt, die keine eigene Stimme haben dürfen und für Männer nur sexuelle Objekte sind. Ich vermute, dass die Handlung in Teil zwei vielleicht noch eine andere Richtung einnimmt, aber für mich ist es an diesem Punkt zu Ende. Das was ich von Meredith Wild bisher gelesen habe, reicht für mich, um keines ihrer Bücher mehr zu lesen. Insbesondere der Cliffhanger am Ende war seit der ersten Seite vorhersehbar. Mittlerweile gibt es einfach genügend andere Bücher, die es verdient haben, gelesen zu werden und die mit einem tollen Plot glänzen.
Von mir gibt es aufgrund der genannten Kriterien keine Leseempfehlung. Jedoch ist der Geschmack eines jeden Menschen unterschiedlich, weshalb ich das Buch in einen Bücherschrank gestellt habe und hoffe, dass irgendwer es vielleicht gerne lesen wird.
Das Cover ist etwas hochwertiger gestaltet durch die glitzernde Schrift. Ansonsten ist es eher unauffällig und dunkel. In meinen Augen ist das Cover nicht ausschlaggebend, um das Buch zu kaufen. Der Schreibstil der Autorinnen war soweit gut zu lesen. Man hat auf jeden Fall nicht gemerkt, dass zwei Autorinnen an der Geschichte geschrieben bzw. an der Handlung mitgewirkt haben.
Die Charaktere haben mich nicht überzeugt. Kara ist ziemlich oberflächlich, eingebildet und hält sich aufgrund ihrer Abstammung für etwas besseres. Sie war mir sehr unsympathisch und ihr Verhalten gegenüber Maximus war für mich unangenehm zu lesen. Dieser sagte ihr von Anfang an, dass er ihr Professor ist und eine Beziehung mit ihm nicht geschehen darf. Dieses Thema verfliegt jedoch relativ schnell, sobald er sie privat trifft. Maximus wird insgesamt sehr soft dargestellt, was ich ganz gerne mochte. Er hat Angst mit seinen Fähigkeiten andere zu verletzen, weshalb er auf Abstand geht. Dieses Verhalten hat mich wiederum gestört, da ich es nicht mag, wenn die Charaktere sich selbst ihr Leben verbauen. Vor allem aufgrund von Situationen, die man leicht aus der Welt schaffen könnte. Bei ihm ist das natürlich etwas schwieriger, aber für mich persönlich war sein Verhalten einfach merkwürdig und selbstzerstörerisch.
Die Nebencharaktere bleiben sehr im Hintergrund. Wichtig für die Geschichte sind der Großvater von Kara und ihre Schwester sowie der beste Freund von Maximus, welcher in seiner Kindheit durch Maximus verletzt wurde. Außerdem der Dämon, dem Kara versprochen ist. Dieser wird erst gegen Ende des Buches relevant. Alles, was sozusagen im Klappentext angepriesen wird, passiert erst im letzten Drittel des Buches.
Auch die Handlung hat mich ziemlich enttäuscht und nicht wirklich überrascht. Ich hatte ehrlich gesagt nicht hohe Ansprüche an „Kiss of Thunder“, aber selbst diese wurden nicht erfüllt. Ich erinnere mich, dass das Buch überwiegend negative Rezensionen in Deutschland bekommen hat, als es erschien. Ich selbst hatte es seitdem auf meinem SuB und irgendwann kein Interesse mehr daran. Ich habe es mittlerweile dennoch gelesen, weil ich irgendwann ja auch mal Geld dafür ausgegeben habe. Nun, ich hätte mir mehr Tiefe gewünscht. Mehr Dialoge und Szenen, in denen es nicht nur um die sexuelle Spannung zwischen Kara und Maximus geht. Dass besser aufgeklärt wird, dass ein Verhältnis zwischen Professor und Studentin unangemessen ist und inwiefern das Leben von Kara‘s Familie durch den Pakt beeinflusst wird. Im Buch wird alles einfach damit erklärt, dass es Kara‘s Pflicht ist und sie keinen eigenen Willen haben darf.
Das Buch hat mich bloß an wenigen Stellen unterhalten können. Hier wurden mir Frauen zu sehr als Opfer dargestellt, die keine eigene Stimme haben dürfen und für Männer nur sexuelle Objekte sind. Ich vermute, dass die Handlung in Teil zwei vielleicht noch eine andere Richtung einnimmt, aber für mich ist es an diesem Punkt zu Ende. Das was ich von Meredith Wild bisher gelesen habe, reicht für mich, um keines ihrer Bücher mehr zu lesen. Insbesondere der Cliffhanger am Ende war seit der ersten Seite vorhersehbar. Mittlerweile gibt es einfach genügend andere Bücher, die es verdient haben, gelesen zu werden und die mit einem tollen Plot glänzen.
Von mir gibt es aufgrund der genannten Kriterien keine Leseempfehlung. Jedoch ist der Geschmack eines jeden Menschen unterschiedlich, weshalb ich das Buch in einen Bücherschrank gestellt habe und hoffe, dass irgendwer es vielleicht gerne lesen wird.
September 22, 2020
Wow!! Just mind blowing!! So much intensity through out this entire book! The depth of the emotion can be felt in every word written in this book. I felt like I was pulled into a very vivid, deeply personal intimate relationship between Maximus and Kara. It’s so vividly written that you’re drawn into the reality that exists on the pages in front of you, so much so your breathing elevates as you frantically turn the pages needing to find out what happens next! I have always been fascinated by the ancient gods and goddesses and on that same note the demons from that time in history too! To read about them in a modernized story like this made this reader one ecstatically overjoyed human who cannot wait to get her hands on the rest of this series!!! How can I only give 5 stars to a book when there’s a whole galaxy of them out there?!?! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Currently reading
August 11, 2020Eppppp!!!!
It’s getting closer😊
This book is on my most anticipated list of 2020! I’m really hoping it’s good because I’m tiredt of 2020! Every single book on my anticipated list so far has been disastrous!
This is a student/teacher romance mixed in with Greek mythology so I’m expecting to be blown the fuck away! I need a win 🤣
It’s getting closer😊
This book is on my most anticipated list of 2020! I’m really hoping it’s good because I’m tiredt of 2020! Every single book on my anticipated list so far has been disastrous!
This is a student/teacher romance mixed in with Greek mythology so I’m expecting to be blown the fuck away! I need a win 🤣
December 13, 2019
Demons and mythology? SIGN ME UP!
June 7, 2025
Seltsam? Das ist wohl das beste Wort, um das Buch zu beschreiben. Liegt seit ewigen Zeiten hier auf meinem SUB, da es das Buch mal Special Edition bei CoF gab und es war einfach soooo seltsam. Und irgendwie mies. Es gab keinerlei Spannung zwischen den Protas, aber zack: unsterblich verliebt. Nach circa 70% hab ich dann nochmal den Klappentext lesen müssen, da gar nichts voran ging. Und der Cliffhanger war echt ein Witz. Werde die Reihe nicht weiterverfolgen, weitere 5 Bände von dem Quatsch müssen dann nicht sein 😂
September 30, 2020
I just want to let it be known that this book was honestly boring as fuck! -_- This story was mainly focused on the relationship aspect of the two main characters "falling in love" but it never felt like a real love type of relationship. It felt more lust to me and it wasn't even insta love either.
This would've been way better if it had more paranormal elements to the story and way more action instead of dragging the story out the entire book just for secrets to be revealed at the end and then have a whole fucking cliff hanger. Like really? That's a bit unfair and extra. lol. I dragged myself through the entire story to get nothing out of it but a damn cliff hanger.
I will continue with the series ONLY BECAUSE OF THIS DAMN CLIFF HANGER AND I GOTTA KNOW WTF IS GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT SO DAMN YOU! lol.... depending on how good the second one will be for now I wouldn't recommend reading this.
This would've been way better if it had more paranormal elements to the story and way more action instead of dragging the story out the entire book just for secrets to be revealed at the end and then have a whole fucking cliff hanger. Like really? That's a bit unfair and extra. lol. I dragged myself through the entire story to get nothing out of it but a damn cliff hanger.
I will continue with the series ONLY BECAUSE OF THIS DAMN CLIFF HANGER AND I GOTTA KNOW WTF IS GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT SO DAMN YOU! lol.... depending on how good the second one will be for now I wouldn't recommend reading this.
January 24, 2020
I was completely blown away by this book!!
Every scene with Maximus and Kara was perfect, they had me swooning hard!!!
When I found out my favorite authors Meredith and Angel we’re writing together, I already knew I would love it, but it was seriously so much better than what I expected and those last few chapters OMG specially the last one!!
I seriously know this words are not enough but my mind is all over the place!!
I can’t wait for the next book and for the rest of the world to know Maximus and Kara.
Every scene with Maximus and Kara was perfect, they had me swooning hard!!!
When I found out my favorite authors Meredith and Angel we’re writing together, I already knew I would love it, but it was seriously so much better than what I expected and those last few chapters OMG specially the last one!!
I seriously know this words are not enough but my mind is all over the place!!
I can’t wait for the next book and for the rest of the world to know Maximus and Kara.
September 13, 2020
Това беше едно доста интересно четиво. Въпреки предубежденията, които пикантната корица може да създаде у читателя, еротиката в наратива не е никак пошла и постна. Описателните абзаци на моменти създават усещането, че авторките очевидно са фенове на класическата литература и помпозното изказване, но пък и придават интересен почерк на сюжета, а и не пречи факта, че звучат така красиво и мелодично, особено тези на професор Кейн. Любопитството ми определено скочи с една октава, когато стана ясно защо всъщност заглавието е "Кръвта на Зевс".
Приятно изненадана и впечатлена останах от тази книга. Ще следя за поредицата с интерес.
Приятно изненадана и впечатлена останах от тази книга. Ще следя за поредицата с интерес.
August 12, 2020
I am familiar with the author's books, the contemporary romance ones and well this was my VERY FIRST PARANORMAL and what a start...my full review & teaser on my BLOG -> CLICK HERE
January 9, 2021
So I ended up caring not at all for either of the main people. I ended up skim reading and missing nothing
August 11, 2020
5 star review of Blood of Zeus (Blood of Zeus #1) by Meredith Wild & Angel Payne
Paranormal romance is not a genre I usually read, however since it is co written by one of my favourite authors, Angel Payne, I thought I would give it a try and I am so glad that I did. Although it is PNR, it was intriguing and Blood of Zeus was a book that I had a hard time putting down; in fact I was so invested in the story line that I forgot that there were paranormal elements to the story.
The chemistry that sizzles between the mysterious and tortured Maximus Kane and Kara Valari was so scorchingly hot that at times I felt as though I was going to burst into flames. Maximus is swoon worthy and there is something about him that ticked the boxes for me whilst Kara is a strong determined woman.
The secondary characters were just as engaging and I cannot wait to read the next book in the series. I am also going to purchase the audio as soon as it is available.
Paranormal romance is not a genre I usually read, however since it is co written by one of my favourite authors, Angel Payne, I thought I would give it a try and I am so glad that I did. Although it is PNR, it was intriguing and Blood of Zeus was a book that I had a hard time putting down; in fact I was so invested in the story line that I forgot that there were paranormal elements to the story.
The chemistry that sizzles between the mysterious and tortured Maximus Kane and Kara Valari was so scorchingly hot that at times I felt as though I was going to burst into flames. Maximus is swoon worthy and there is something about him that ticked the boxes for me whilst Kara is a strong determined woman.
The secondary characters were just as engaging and I cannot wait to read the next book in the series. I am also going to purchase the audio as soon as it is available.
July 29, 2020
Blood of Zeus is a mesmerizing paranormal romance with a fascinating mythological theme. Meredith Wild and Angel Payne blew me away with this book. They give readers a story that is seductive, mysterious, dangerous, and so addicting.
As the story begins, we meet Kara Valari. She is a student at Alameda University in Los Angeles. She is constantly being scrutinized for being part of the Valari family. She is trying to finish her final year at college and pursue her passion of classics because once she is done she is expected to fulfill her true destiny. Her future has always been planned by her mother so she wants to make the most of her classes. One class in particular, Advanced Studies in Medieval Literature, catches her attention for many reasons.
Professor Maximus is gorgeous. He teaches at Alameda University and everyone wants to take his classes. He is beautiful, tall, broody, and dominating. He begins his class and catches the eye of a student, Kara. He feels an instant and unexplainable attraction with Kara but will never make a move. He likes to keep to himself always afraid of hurting anyone that is close to him after experiencing a tragic accident when he was a young boy.
Kara and Maximus run into each other at a A-List party and once again their chemistry is fiery and passionate. Both have never felt this way and can't help but want to spend more time together. There are many things and people that don't want them to be together, but they don't listen.
I was so intrigued by their connection from the beginning of the book. They have both felt like they would never find love because they were so different but together they realize that they are so in sync with one another. There are so many unique abilities that they each possess that only adds to the suspense of the story. I really loved this book because it had everything I love in a read. It had romance, mystery, conflict, and passion.
I give Blood of Zeus 5 stars. As soon as I finished the book, I didn't want the story to end. I was completely hypnotized by the love story between Maximus and Kara. These characters are so intriguing because of their extraordinary characteristics. So many people have made them feel less than throughout their lives because of their differences but when they are together those differences are appreciated. This book did leave me craving more and left me with a huge book hangover but it was so worth it.
As the story begins, we meet Kara Valari. She is a student at Alameda University in Los Angeles. She is constantly being scrutinized for being part of the Valari family. She is trying to finish her final year at college and pursue her passion of classics because once she is done she is expected to fulfill her true destiny. Her future has always been planned by her mother so she wants to make the most of her classes. One class in particular, Advanced Studies in Medieval Literature, catches her attention for many reasons.
Professor Maximus is gorgeous. He teaches at Alameda University and everyone wants to take his classes. He is beautiful, tall, broody, and dominating. He begins his class and catches the eye of a student, Kara. He feels an instant and unexplainable attraction with Kara but will never make a move. He likes to keep to himself always afraid of hurting anyone that is close to him after experiencing a tragic accident when he was a young boy.
Kara and Maximus run into each other at a A-List party and once again their chemistry is fiery and passionate. Both have never felt this way and can't help but want to spend more time together. There are many things and people that don't want them to be together, but they don't listen.
I was so intrigued by their connection from the beginning of the book. They have both felt like they would never find love because they were so different but together they realize that they are so in sync with one another. There are so many unique abilities that they each possess that only adds to the suspense of the story. I really loved this book because it had everything I love in a read. It had romance, mystery, conflict, and passion.
I give Blood of Zeus 5 stars. As soon as I finished the book, I didn't want the story to end. I was completely hypnotized by the love story between Maximus and Kara. These characters are so intriguing because of their extraordinary characteristics. So many people have made them feel less than throughout their lives because of their differences but when they are together those differences are appreciated. This book did leave me craving more and left me with a huge book hangover but it was so worth it.
August 14, 2020
Oh holy chemistry! It is off the charts from the beginning. I can honestly say that I was not able to put this book down. Maximus who doesn't understand why he's so different and Kara who is literally a demon that is unlike the rest of her family but they are drawn to each other like a moth to a flame 🔥.. I can't wait for the next installment
March 27, 2020
When you hear that two authors you admire are teaming up to write a book together you know you need to read it.
They save never judge a book by its cover well never judge a book by its title. I was unsure going into this as I am not much into PNR & mythology but let me tell you HOLY HELL I was sucked in and wasn't getting out.
The instant connection and chemistry between Max and Kara is really out of this world.
Max is trying to figure out his past while Kara knows what hers is and is trying to keep it a secret. Will be bond that they formed together be able to keep them together or will it break them apart.
I can't wait for Heart of Fire to see what happens next.
They save never judge a book by its cover well never judge a book by its title. I was unsure going into this as I am not much into PNR & mythology but let me tell you HOLY HELL I was sucked in and wasn't getting out.
The instant connection and chemistry between Max and Kara is really out of this world.
Max is trying to figure out his past while Kara knows what hers is and is trying to keep it a secret. Will be bond that they formed together be able to keep them together or will it break them apart.
I can't wait for Heart of Fire to see what happens next.
June 1, 2022
"Kiss of Thunder" vom Autorinnenduo Meredith Wild und Angel Payne habe ich mir angefragt, da die Mischung aus Hollywood-Glamour, Literaturstudium und paranormalen Elementen eine prickelnde und interessante Geschichte versprochen hat. Nachdem ich die Romantasy-Geschichte in den letzten Tagen gelesen habe, fällt mein Urteil aber leider ein wenig gemischt aus.
Das Cover ist mit dem blauen Hintergrund, dem geschwungenen goldenen Titel und den hellen Lichtpunkten zwar ein wenig nichtssagend, dafür aber um einiges schöner anzusehen als das Originalcover, über dessen Hauptmotiv ich doch glatt ein bisschen lachen musste. Die Gestaltung ist geheimnisvoll, magisch und sinnlich, was sehr gut zur Geschichte passt. Auch der deutsche Titel, der im Gegensatz zum Original nicht schon einen riesigen Teil der Geschichte vorwegnimmt, gefällt mir sehr gut! Dafür also ein großes Kompliment an den Verlag! Etwas verwirrt war ich zunächst über die ungewöhnlich verschnörkelte Schriftart, in der der Roman abgedruckt ist und auch der Abstand der untersten Zeile zum Seitenrand ist seltsam groß. Mit der Zeit gewöhnt man sich aber gut an den etwas untypischen Satz und kommt gut durch die 360 Seiten.
Erster Satz: "Nur eins ist schlimmer, als eine Dämonin zu sein: eine Valari zu sein."
Die beiden Autorinnen steigen direkt mit dem ersten Treffen der beiden Hauptfiguren, die abwechseln aus der Ich-Perspektive erzählen, in die Handlung ein. Wie schon im ersten Satz deutlich wird, werden die Celebrity-Elemente und der College-Trope dabei wie selbstverständlich mit paranormalen Elementen gemischt. Schon schnell ist deshalb klar: Kara ist eine Dämonin und Maximus ist riesig und demoliert ab und an aus Versehen Gegenstände. Da wir ansonsten aber ein ganz alltägliches L.A. präsentiert bekommen, in dem keiner so wirklich an Übernatürliches glaubt, wäre es in meinen Augen dringend notwendig gewesen, diese paranormalen Motive glaubhaft einzubinden. Eine wirkliche Einbettung dieser Elemente in das Realitätssetting erfolgt in diesem Auftakt aber nicht, sodass mich die ersten 100 Seiten vor allem verwirrt haben und "Kiss of Thunder" sich zunächst liest, als würde man mitten in einer Reihe einsteigen, deren Vorgängerbände oder Prequels man nicht gelesen hat.
Doch auch im Verlauf der Geschichte wird das Worldbuilding nicht besser. Während man zu Beginn noch dachte, dass einem als LeserIn einfach essenzielle Informationen fehlen, die von den Figuren zurückgehalten werden, wird mit der Zeit klar, dass auch Kara und Maximus über ihre übernatürlichen Herkunft nicht viel mehr wissen, weshalb auch im Verlauf der Geschichte die hunderte von Fragen, die beim Lesen aufkommen, einfach nicht beantwortet werden. Das ist mehr als nur frustrierend. Man kann doch nicht ein reales Setting wählen und wahllos einige übernatürliche Elemente hinzufügen und davon ausgehen, dass damit alle Unklarheiten aus dem Weg geräumt sind. Neben der Frustration beim Lesen schadet dieser Informationsmangel auch stark dem Vorankommen der Handlung. Statt zusammen die magische Welt zu erkunden oder Geheimnissen auf die Spur zu kommen, tun die beiden Hauptfiguren ununterbrochen nichts anderes, als verwirrte Gespräche zu führen, sich gegenseitig mit Andeutungen und Halbwahrheiten abspeisen und ... rummachen. Viel andere Handlung ereignet sich nicht auf den beinahe 400 Seiten, was angesichts der drei vielversprechenden Motiven der Handlung wirklich enttäuschend ist.
Maximus: "Ich habe geglaubt, ich wüsste was Hölle ist - bis du mich zum ersten Mal berührt hast."
Gegen Ende werden dann zwar einige Enthüllungen angedeutet, die jedoch so oberflächlich bleiben, dass sie die Handlung nicht wirklich bereichern. Ich kann mir gar nicht vorstellen, wie die Geschichte mit einer derart dünnen Handlung auf drei Bände gestreckt werden soll... Vermutlich war der Gedanke der beiden Autorinnen, Spannung durch die offenen Fragen zu gewinnen. Ärgerlich ist nur, dass man sich beim Lesen sehr schnell die Geheimnisse der beiden Figuren zusammenspinnen kann und die Hinhaltetaktik und das ewige Ausweichen und Nicht-Verstehen der Figuren deshalb sehr unglaubwürdig wird. Wenn also Handlung und offene Fragen und Konflikte als Spannungsgeber ausfallen, was hat dann dafür gesorgt, dass ich "Kiss of Thunder" trotzdem bis zum Ende verfolgt habe? Die Atmosphäre, die durch die Anziehungskraft zwischen Kara und Maximus entsteht!
Meredith Wild und Angel Payne erzählen hier eine Forbidden-Lovestory, welche vor allem aufgrund der übernatürlichen Barrieren zwischen Kara und Maximus besteht und weniger durch das Professor-Studentin-Machtgefälle (letzteres scheint die beiden Figuren seltsamerweise nicht groß zu interessieren). Schon während ihrer ersten Begegnung knistert es ordentlich zwischen ihnen - im wahrsten Sinne des Wortes - und auch wenn natürlich etwas fragwürdig ist, dass die beiden schon nach wenigen Tagen Bekanntschaft zu 100% verliebt sind, ist die Chemie zwischen den beiden wirklich toll. Insta-Love-Geschichten, in denen sich die beiden Figuren schon auf den ersten Blick ineinander verlieben und eine enge Verbindung haben, ohne diese langsam und für uns LeserInnen nachvollziehbar zu entwickeln, stehe ich generell ein wenig skeptisch gegenüber. Hier fand ich die sofortige Verbindung zwischen den beiden durch die paranormale Erklärung aber gerade noch so gerechtfertigt und konnte mich deshalb gut auf das Knistern zwischen den zweien einlassen.
Kara: "Ich will all deine Geheimnisse, Kara... All die kleinen Teile von dir, die niemals jemand sieht, jeden wilden Traum, jede hässliche Wahrheit. Wenn ich nicht der Mann bin, der sich all das verdienen kann, wird sich für mich nichts jemals mehr richtig anfühlen.
Während ich die Verbindung zwischen den beiden also sehr nachvollziehbar ausgearbeitet und die Anziehung zwischen ihnen durch die Seiten greifbar finde, bleiben Kara und Maximus als Einzelfiguren jedoch nur grobe Strichzeichnungen. Die beiden sind zwar grundsätzlich sympathisch, bleiben hier für meinen Geschmack aber zu eindimensional. Wir erfahren kaum etwas darüber, was die beiden wirklich bewegt und lesen fast ausschließlich Szenen, in denen sie zusammen sind. Und auch diese gemeinsame Zeit nutzen sie leider nicht, um sich gegenseitig besser kennenzulernen oder etwas zu unternehmen, sondern beinahe ausschließlich körperlich. Auch die Nebenfiguren finde ich hier kaum erwähnenswert. Mit Maximus´ bestem Freund Jesse und Karas Schwester Kell haben wir immerhin zwei Nebenfiguren, die immer wieder vorkommen, die die Beziehungen zwischen ihnen und den Hauptfiguren bleiben jedoch sehr blass. Da es sich bei "Kiss of Thunder" um den Auftakt einer Reihe handelt, werden die Haupt- und Nebenfiguren in den kommenden Bänden vermutlich noch weiter vertieft, für mich wird nach diesem Band aber wohl eher Schluss sein.
Maximus: "Es passiert alles wieder genau gleich. Das Erwachen, wenn sie da ist. Wie sehr ich mir ihrer bewusst bin. Die Explosion, das Feuer, Licht und Farben, die zwischen ihrem Blut und meinem hin- und herrast, so funkelnd wie das vergoldete Sonnenlicht um uns herum.""
Diese Entscheidung hängt - als letzter Kritikpunkt meiner Rezension - auch ein wenig mit dem Schreibstil zusammen. Meredith Wild und Angel Payne setzen hier sehr viele bildhafte Vergleiche und Metaphern ein, die an manchen Stellen jedoch ein bisschen fehl am Platz erscheinen. Da ich bisher noch kein Buch von einer der beiden Autorinnen gelesen habe, bin ich mir nicht sicher, ob der an manchen Stellen amüsante, an anderen eher unangenehme Beigeschmack von Formulierungen durch den Schreibstil der beiden Autorinnen oder durch die Übersetzung bedingt ist. Fest steht, dass ich einige Szenen nicht ganz ernst nehmen konnte (vor allem die seitenlange Liebesszene am Ende hat mir den ein oder anderen ungewollten Lacher entlockt) und die langen Absätze voller magischer Andeutungen und blumiger Gefühlsbeschreibungen wie heiße Luft erscheinen, denen im Endeffekt die Substanz fehlt. Schade!
Kara: "Bücher waren immer meine einzige Sucht, aber Maximus ist eine Geschichte für sich. Ein lebendiges Rätsel. Der faszinierendste Held, der mir je begegnet ist. Und ich will nicht, dass die Geschichte jemals endet."
Fazit:
"Kiss of Thunder" ist eine Romantasy-Geschichte mit viel heißer Luft, überschwelligen Metaphern und leeren Worte, der jedoch die Substanz fehlt. Das Worldbuilding lässt viele Fragen offen, die großen "Wendungen" sind vorhersehbar und die Figuren bleiben stark eindimensional - nur die durch die prickelnde Chemie entstandene Atmosphäre sorgt dafür, dass man bis zum Ende dabeibleibt!
2,5 / 5 Sterne
Das Cover ist mit dem blauen Hintergrund, dem geschwungenen goldenen Titel und den hellen Lichtpunkten zwar ein wenig nichtssagend, dafür aber um einiges schöner anzusehen als das Originalcover, über dessen Hauptmotiv ich doch glatt ein bisschen lachen musste. Die Gestaltung ist geheimnisvoll, magisch und sinnlich, was sehr gut zur Geschichte passt. Auch der deutsche Titel, der im Gegensatz zum Original nicht schon einen riesigen Teil der Geschichte vorwegnimmt, gefällt mir sehr gut! Dafür also ein großes Kompliment an den Verlag! Etwas verwirrt war ich zunächst über die ungewöhnlich verschnörkelte Schriftart, in der der Roman abgedruckt ist und auch der Abstand der untersten Zeile zum Seitenrand ist seltsam groß. Mit der Zeit gewöhnt man sich aber gut an den etwas untypischen Satz und kommt gut durch die 360 Seiten.
Erster Satz: "Nur eins ist schlimmer, als eine Dämonin zu sein: eine Valari zu sein."
Die beiden Autorinnen steigen direkt mit dem ersten Treffen der beiden Hauptfiguren, die abwechseln aus der Ich-Perspektive erzählen, in die Handlung ein. Wie schon im ersten Satz deutlich wird, werden die Celebrity-Elemente und der College-Trope dabei wie selbstverständlich mit paranormalen Elementen gemischt. Schon schnell ist deshalb klar: Kara ist eine Dämonin und Maximus ist riesig und demoliert ab und an aus Versehen Gegenstände. Da wir ansonsten aber ein ganz alltägliches L.A. präsentiert bekommen, in dem keiner so wirklich an Übernatürliches glaubt, wäre es in meinen Augen dringend notwendig gewesen, diese paranormalen Motive glaubhaft einzubinden. Eine wirkliche Einbettung dieser Elemente in das Realitätssetting erfolgt in diesem Auftakt aber nicht, sodass mich die ersten 100 Seiten vor allem verwirrt haben und "Kiss of Thunder" sich zunächst liest, als würde man mitten in einer Reihe einsteigen, deren Vorgängerbände oder Prequels man nicht gelesen hat.
Doch auch im Verlauf der Geschichte wird das Worldbuilding nicht besser. Während man zu Beginn noch dachte, dass einem als LeserIn einfach essenzielle Informationen fehlen, die von den Figuren zurückgehalten werden, wird mit der Zeit klar, dass auch Kara und Maximus über ihre übernatürlichen Herkunft nicht viel mehr wissen, weshalb auch im Verlauf der Geschichte die hunderte von Fragen, die beim Lesen aufkommen, einfach nicht beantwortet werden. Das ist mehr als nur frustrierend. Man kann doch nicht ein reales Setting wählen und wahllos einige übernatürliche Elemente hinzufügen und davon ausgehen, dass damit alle Unklarheiten aus dem Weg geräumt sind. Neben der Frustration beim Lesen schadet dieser Informationsmangel auch stark dem Vorankommen der Handlung. Statt zusammen die magische Welt zu erkunden oder Geheimnissen auf die Spur zu kommen, tun die beiden Hauptfiguren ununterbrochen nichts anderes, als verwirrte Gespräche zu führen, sich gegenseitig mit Andeutungen und Halbwahrheiten abspeisen und ... rummachen. Viel andere Handlung ereignet sich nicht auf den beinahe 400 Seiten, was angesichts der drei vielversprechenden Motiven der Handlung wirklich enttäuschend ist.
Maximus: "Ich habe geglaubt, ich wüsste was Hölle ist - bis du mich zum ersten Mal berührt hast."
Gegen Ende werden dann zwar einige Enthüllungen angedeutet, die jedoch so oberflächlich bleiben, dass sie die Handlung nicht wirklich bereichern. Ich kann mir gar nicht vorstellen, wie die Geschichte mit einer derart dünnen Handlung auf drei Bände gestreckt werden soll... Vermutlich war der Gedanke der beiden Autorinnen, Spannung durch die offenen Fragen zu gewinnen. Ärgerlich ist nur, dass man sich beim Lesen sehr schnell die Geheimnisse der beiden Figuren zusammenspinnen kann und die Hinhaltetaktik und das ewige Ausweichen und Nicht-Verstehen der Figuren deshalb sehr unglaubwürdig wird. Wenn also Handlung und offene Fragen und Konflikte als Spannungsgeber ausfallen, was hat dann dafür gesorgt, dass ich "Kiss of Thunder" trotzdem bis zum Ende verfolgt habe? Die Atmosphäre, die durch die Anziehungskraft zwischen Kara und Maximus entsteht!
Meredith Wild und Angel Payne erzählen hier eine Forbidden-Lovestory, welche vor allem aufgrund der übernatürlichen Barrieren zwischen Kara und Maximus besteht und weniger durch das Professor-Studentin-Machtgefälle (letzteres scheint die beiden Figuren seltsamerweise nicht groß zu interessieren). Schon während ihrer ersten Begegnung knistert es ordentlich zwischen ihnen - im wahrsten Sinne des Wortes - und auch wenn natürlich etwas fragwürdig ist, dass die beiden schon nach wenigen Tagen Bekanntschaft zu 100% verliebt sind, ist die Chemie zwischen den beiden wirklich toll. Insta-Love-Geschichten, in denen sich die beiden Figuren schon auf den ersten Blick ineinander verlieben und eine enge Verbindung haben, ohne diese langsam und für uns LeserInnen nachvollziehbar zu entwickeln, stehe ich generell ein wenig skeptisch gegenüber. Hier fand ich die sofortige Verbindung zwischen den beiden durch die paranormale Erklärung aber gerade noch so gerechtfertigt und konnte mich deshalb gut auf das Knistern zwischen den zweien einlassen.
Kara: "Ich will all deine Geheimnisse, Kara... All die kleinen Teile von dir, die niemals jemand sieht, jeden wilden Traum, jede hässliche Wahrheit. Wenn ich nicht der Mann bin, der sich all das verdienen kann, wird sich für mich nichts jemals mehr richtig anfühlen.
Während ich die Verbindung zwischen den beiden also sehr nachvollziehbar ausgearbeitet und die Anziehung zwischen ihnen durch die Seiten greifbar finde, bleiben Kara und Maximus als Einzelfiguren jedoch nur grobe Strichzeichnungen. Die beiden sind zwar grundsätzlich sympathisch, bleiben hier für meinen Geschmack aber zu eindimensional. Wir erfahren kaum etwas darüber, was die beiden wirklich bewegt und lesen fast ausschließlich Szenen, in denen sie zusammen sind. Und auch diese gemeinsame Zeit nutzen sie leider nicht, um sich gegenseitig besser kennenzulernen oder etwas zu unternehmen, sondern beinahe ausschließlich körperlich. Auch die Nebenfiguren finde ich hier kaum erwähnenswert. Mit Maximus´ bestem Freund Jesse und Karas Schwester Kell haben wir immerhin zwei Nebenfiguren, die immer wieder vorkommen, die die Beziehungen zwischen ihnen und den Hauptfiguren bleiben jedoch sehr blass. Da es sich bei "Kiss of Thunder" um den Auftakt einer Reihe handelt, werden die Haupt- und Nebenfiguren in den kommenden Bänden vermutlich noch weiter vertieft, für mich wird nach diesem Band aber wohl eher Schluss sein.
Maximus: "Es passiert alles wieder genau gleich. Das Erwachen, wenn sie da ist. Wie sehr ich mir ihrer bewusst bin. Die Explosion, das Feuer, Licht und Farben, die zwischen ihrem Blut und meinem hin- und herrast, so funkelnd wie das vergoldete Sonnenlicht um uns herum.""
Diese Entscheidung hängt - als letzter Kritikpunkt meiner Rezension - auch ein wenig mit dem Schreibstil zusammen. Meredith Wild und Angel Payne setzen hier sehr viele bildhafte Vergleiche und Metaphern ein, die an manchen Stellen jedoch ein bisschen fehl am Platz erscheinen. Da ich bisher noch kein Buch von einer der beiden Autorinnen gelesen habe, bin ich mir nicht sicher, ob der an manchen Stellen amüsante, an anderen eher unangenehme Beigeschmack von Formulierungen durch den Schreibstil der beiden Autorinnen oder durch die Übersetzung bedingt ist. Fest steht, dass ich einige Szenen nicht ganz ernst nehmen konnte (vor allem die seitenlange Liebesszene am Ende hat mir den ein oder anderen ungewollten Lacher entlockt) und die langen Absätze voller magischer Andeutungen und blumiger Gefühlsbeschreibungen wie heiße Luft erscheinen, denen im Endeffekt die Substanz fehlt. Schade!
Kara: "Bücher waren immer meine einzige Sucht, aber Maximus ist eine Geschichte für sich. Ein lebendiges Rätsel. Der faszinierendste Held, der mir je begegnet ist. Und ich will nicht, dass die Geschichte jemals endet."
Fazit:
"Kiss of Thunder" ist eine Romantasy-Geschichte mit viel heißer Luft, überschwelligen Metaphern und leeren Worte, der jedoch die Substanz fehlt. Das Worldbuilding lässt viele Fragen offen, die großen "Wendungen" sind vorhersehbar und die Figuren bleiben stark eindimensional - nur die durch die prickelnde Chemie entstandene Atmosphäre sorgt dafür, dass man bis zum Ende dabeibleibt!
2,5 / 5 Sterne
May 4, 2021
“This book is trash”
This was my mantra as I read page after page while trying to convince myself to go on, but not really finding any reason to do so besides the fact that I paid $15.99 for it at B&N😭😭😭. I want my money back!
First, DNF at 40% or so. My math sucks😪
Why?
The writing style is the worst. The book is written in first person present tense, with a POV that bounces between Maximus and Kara.
As readers, you know how in some books, the characters seems to blur, act the same or like just not come alive. And you have to depend on pesky little signposts like, well this friend is the violent friend and this is the pacifist, love all goof ball.
In this book, there is no attempt at all to distinguish the main characters... no pesky signposts, no difference in their speech pattern, attitude, interests, ideals ... nothing except Maximus is hot male and poor and conflicted... Kara is a rich celebrity that’s also conflicted.
The book is basically a literary piece with cringe-worthy internal musings, conversations and overly repetitive sexual tension separated between two different characters names, but whose character depiction and roles are otherwise the same, interchangeable and indistinguishable.
This to me is an absolute nightmare!
Also, the POV switches way too often. Bouncing POVs are supposed to give the reader new insights or new perspective. Most of the shifts in this book are redundant and repetitive and just plain useless.
I also really really hate the Dante metaphors and excessive time devoted to analyzing Dante’s book. I didn’t buy this PNR, to spend my brain cells trying to make sense of a literary piece from the 1300s. Just NO!
One would think that in writing a book, one of the authors goals would be to keep the potential audience interested in the book the entire time; keep the reader engaged enough to finish the book or at least to want to finish the book.
It defeats that purpose to first introduce a reader to the world of the author’s primary book, then dump the reader into the sub-world of a secondary book by another author. If the reader is not familiar with the secondary book, you have them thinking “what the hell” because it is unfair. One of two things would happen at that point:
The first thing that could happen is,
With a more inquisitive reader, he or she might end up stopping the primary book to google or read up on the secondary book. If the goal of the primary book is to market the second books, this is awesome. If not, then it’s s kinda dumb.
The primary author is basically tempting the reader to set aside his or her book. And when the reader gets caught in the details of the secondary book, the chances of returning to the primary book reduces.
The second thing that could happen is,
For the less inquisitive reader who doesn’t stop reading the primary book, he or she might even roll with the punch. However, everything single reference to the secondary book becomes a point of frustration to the reader. Again, so so dumb because the easiest way to deal with a frustrating read is to DNF the book.
It honestly feels to me like the authors tempted, even pushed for this DNF. So I’m going to oblige.
1.5 stars.
This was my mantra as I read page after page while trying to convince myself to go on, but not really finding any reason to do so besides the fact that I paid $15.99 for it at B&N😭😭😭. I want my money back!
First, DNF at 40% or so. My math sucks😪
Why?
The writing style is the worst. The book is written in first person present tense, with a POV that bounces between Maximus and Kara.
As readers, you know how in some books, the characters seems to blur, act the same or like just not come alive. And you have to depend on pesky little signposts like, well this friend is the violent friend and this is the pacifist, love all goof ball.
In this book, there is no attempt at all to distinguish the main characters... no pesky signposts, no difference in their speech pattern, attitude, interests, ideals ... nothing except Maximus is hot male and poor and conflicted... Kara is a rich celebrity that’s also conflicted.
The book is basically a literary piece with cringe-worthy internal musings, conversations and overly repetitive sexual tension separated between two different characters names, but whose character depiction and roles are otherwise the same, interchangeable and indistinguishable.
This to me is an absolute nightmare!
Also, the POV switches way too often. Bouncing POVs are supposed to give the reader new insights or new perspective. Most of the shifts in this book are redundant and repetitive and just plain useless.
I also really really hate the Dante metaphors and excessive time devoted to analyzing Dante’s book. I didn’t buy this PNR, to spend my brain cells trying to make sense of a literary piece from the 1300s. Just NO!
One would think that in writing a book, one of the authors goals would be to keep the potential audience interested in the book the entire time; keep the reader engaged enough to finish the book or at least to want to finish the book.
It defeats that purpose to first introduce a reader to the world of the author’s primary book, then dump the reader into the sub-world of a secondary book by another author. If the reader is not familiar with the secondary book, you have them thinking “what the hell” because it is unfair. One of two things would happen at that point:
The first thing that could happen is,
With a more inquisitive reader, he or she might end up stopping the primary book to google or read up on the secondary book. If the goal of the primary book is to market the second books, this is awesome. If not, then it’s s kinda dumb.
The primary author is basically tempting the reader to set aside his or her book. And when the reader gets caught in the details of the secondary book, the chances of returning to the primary book reduces.
The second thing that could happen is,
For the less inquisitive reader who doesn’t stop reading the primary book, he or she might even roll with the punch. However, everything single reference to the secondary book becomes a point of frustration to the reader. Again, so so dumb because the easiest way to deal with a frustrating read is to DNF the book.
It honestly feels to me like the authors tempted, even pushed for this DNF. So I’m going to oblige.
1.5 stars.
January 3, 2022
Po "Piorunie" tejże autorki spodziewałam się kompletnego gniota, ale kurde, wsiąkłam! Podoba mi się koncept i postacie, jest mega spoko :)
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