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Karma Johnson has spent her entire adult life working to become a member of FBI's Child Abduction Rapid Deployment team. She's earned her transfer to CARD, but when she's caught up in the kidnapping of an infant from a festival, she learns what it's like to be the victim. Pretending she's a teen keeps her alive while trying to get herself and the baby to safety.
But the kidnapping only scratches at the surface of a far more nefarious scheme, one that will test Karma's skills, her patience, her sanity, and her beliefs.
Karma Johnson has spent her entire adult life working to become a member of FBI's Child Abduction Rapid Deployment team. She's earned her transfer to CARD, but when she's caught up in the kidnapping of an infant from a festival, she learns what it's like to be the victim. Pretending she's a teen keeps her alive while trying to get herself and the baby to safety.
But the kidnapping only scratches at the surface of a far more nefarious scheme, one that will test Karma's skills, her patience, her sanity, and her beliefs.
456 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 15, 2016
176 people are currently reading
375 people want to read
About the author
R.J. Blain
81 books1,304 followersRJ Blain suffers from a Moleskine journal obsession, a pen fixation, and a terrible tendency to pun without warning.
When she isn't playing pretend, she likes to think she's a cartographer and a sumi-e painter. In reality, she herds cats and a husband, and obeys the commands of Tsu Dhi, the great warrior fish.
In her spare time, she daydreams about being a spy. Should that fail, her contingency plan involves tying her best of enemies to spinning wheels and quoting James Bond villains until she is satisfied.
When she isn't playing pretend, she likes to think she's a cartographer and a sumi-e painter. In reality, she herds cats and a husband, and obeys the commands of Tsu Dhi, the great warrior fish.
In her spare time, she daydreams about being a spy. Should that fail, her contingency plan involves tying her best of enemies to spinning wheels and quoting James Bond villains until she is satisfied.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
January 7, 2018
I'm terribly disappointed in this book. The first part of it was great - I generally don't buy books on Amazon before reading them first on KU or the library, but the opening was so well-done that I figured, how bad can it be?
Well, I'm regretful, because I DNF at around 90%. When the climax of the book can't hold you, it's bad.
The plot is really haphazard. In that initial strong opening, we are introduced to Karma, level-headed and cool FBI person. Neat! But as the book goes on, she gets less and less level-headed and more and more off-the-wall, until after a point I just wasn't following what was going on anymore because her narrations and decisions were so hard to keep up with. It was like the book had devolved into a piece of abstract art; there are random kidnapping cases shots are fired parents random banter with side characters a bunch of plot points that aren't really wrapped up what just happened?!
Which leads me into the next point. I can't believe I'm saying this, but there is actually too much witty repartee in this book. I love witty repartee. I buy books with cliche stories just because they have witty repartee. But here, it's just too much. Karma loudly snarks off to everybody, and everybody loudly snarks back, and you eventually wonder if they're really all just hamming it up for you, the audience. Not a lot of people in the second half of the book actually act like professional adults.
I found another of Blain's books in a library, so I'll try that one as well. Maybe Karma is just a book that isn't to my taste. I don't think I would have bought a second after this one, though.
Well, I'm regretful, because I DNF at around 90%. When the climax of the book can't hold you, it's bad.
The plot is really haphazard. In that initial strong opening, we are introduced to Karma, level-headed and cool FBI person. Neat! But as the book goes on, she gets less and less level-headed and more and more off-the-wall, until after a point I just wasn't following what was going on anymore because her narrations and decisions were so hard to keep up with. It was like the book had devolved into a piece of abstract art; there are random kidnapping cases shots are fired parents random banter with side characters a bunch of plot points that aren't really wrapped up what just happened?!
Which leads me into the next point. I can't believe I'm saying this, but there is actually too much witty repartee in this book. I love witty repartee. I buy books with cliche stories just because they have witty repartee. But here, it's just too much. Karma loudly snarks off to everybody, and everybody loudly snarks back, and you eventually wonder if they're really all just hamming it up for you, the audience. Not a lot of people in the second half of the book actually act like professional adults.
I found another of Blain's books in a library, so I'll try that one as well. Maybe Karma is just a book that isn't to my taste. I don't think I would have bought a second after this one, though.
March 4, 2018
Plot twist-not in a good way
I was really enjoying this book until about 75% in, then suddenly Blain's Feneric world makes an appearance. It distorted the plot and the characters. I don't know if there was no idea of how to solve the mystery or if the intent for the book changed, but there is no warning, foreshadowing, or other lead-up in the first three-quarters of the book. It really feels like there was never a viable outline and this mashup was the result. I've read other works by the same author and enjoyed the over-the-top storytelling, but this one just doesn't ring true. Too many holes and inconsistencies.
I was really enjoying this book until about 75% in, then suddenly Blain's Feneric world makes an appearance. It distorted the plot and the characters. I don't know if there was no idea of how to solve the mystery or if the intent for the book changed, but there is no warning, foreshadowing, or other lead-up in the first three-quarters of the book. It really feels like there was never a viable outline and this mashup was the result. I've read other works by the same author and enjoyed the over-the-top storytelling, but this one just doesn't ring true. Too many holes and inconsistencies.
August 2, 2020
Trigger warnings for child abuse.
June 10, 2016
Reviewed by Michelle Stanley for Readers' Favorite
Karma, Book One, is from the urban fantasy series: Balancing the Scales by R.J. Blaine. Karma Johnson, an FBI agent, is kidnapped along with a baby while attending a festival. Karma’s youthful looks deceive the captors while her kick-ass survival skills help her escape with the infant. When she is transferred to Child Abduction Rapid Deployment (CARD), Karma becomes frustrated with her team’s chauvinist attitude, especially when another child is abducted and her leads are ignored.
Karma, known for her success in solving cases, sharp-edged retorts, and stubborn nature, retaliates so her 8th ex-partner is transferred to CARD. Jake is the only one who knows how to control her feisty temperament. The partners’ lives are put in danger when they uncover a deeper connection to the kidnappings.
I expected to respond with a smile if parts were amusing, but definitely did not expect to be laughing out loud when reading Karma: Balancing the Scales, Book One. This urban fantasy is loaded with the wittiest, smooth flowing dialogue from fully-developed characters who fascinated me. Karma is such a sassy character and Jake is jovial, possessing enigmatic qualities. The plot is inventive, intense at times, reflective, and extremely entertaining.
It’s not easy to foresee what’s coming next since R.J. Blaine makes the most intricate twists. I like her steady, well-balanced writing style and suspect Karma’s personality has to be similar to hers, especially the dialogue. I am now a fan of R.J. Blaine and intend to read Book Two in Balancing the Scales series.
Karma, Book One, is from the urban fantasy series: Balancing the Scales by R.J. Blaine. Karma Johnson, an FBI agent, is kidnapped along with a baby while attending a festival. Karma’s youthful looks deceive the captors while her kick-ass survival skills help her escape with the infant. When she is transferred to Child Abduction Rapid Deployment (CARD), Karma becomes frustrated with her team’s chauvinist attitude, especially when another child is abducted and her leads are ignored.
Karma, known for her success in solving cases, sharp-edged retorts, and stubborn nature, retaliates so her 8th ex-partner is transferred to CARD. Jake is the only one who knows how to control her feisty temperament. The partners’ lives are put in danger when they uncover a deeper connection to the kidnappings.
I expected to respond with a smile if parts were amusing, but definitely did not expect to be laughing out loud when reading Karma: Balancing the Scales, Book One. This urban fantasy is loaded with the wittiest, smooth flowing dialogue from fully-developed characters who fascinated me. Karma is such a sassy character and Jake is jovial, possessing enigmatic qualities. The plot is inventive, intense at times, reflective, and extremely entertaining.
It’s not easy to foresee what’s coming next since R.J. Blaine makes the most intricate twists. I like her steady, well-balanced writing style and suspect Karma’s personality has to be similar to hers, especially the dialogue. I am now a fan of R.J. Blaine and intend to read Book Two in Balancing the Scales series.
May 20, 2016
You know this is going to be a great week when you get not only one but two new books from the pen of RJ Blain - WHOOOOOPEEE!! and the net result was me running to amazon as fast as I could type and........me the next day, after a marathon read.
I loved the book, but I must admit that I first thought that this was going to be a totally new direction and series for RJ, but it's not so don't read this book expecting it.
We are still in realm of "Witch and Wolf" in our dealings with Feneric's and Witch's but we are starting with a new couple and their workings within the FBI, and the series has been given the title "Balancing the Scales", so maybe there will be new developments but we will have to wait and see.
Karma has spent her life working her way through the FBI and even though she excels at her job her partners have let her down (understatement here), until Jake... Dramatic pause ... sorry but that's all you are going to get.
The book is great fun with lots of humour and action, Karma's an absolute scream, and her interactions with those around her are really enjoyable, even though you realise she has been driven to it, and as for her mother well I don't know what to say..
Yes there are kidnappings ect but to me they were more a back story, the real focus was Karma and Jake and how they found each other, I can only assume the next books will focus more on crime as they further their story, but that's only a guess.
Highly recommended, it can be read as a stand alone but I think you should read the other of RJ's books because it will enhance the story because it might feel a bit thin without it.
I loved the book, but I must admit that I first thought that this was going to be a totally new direction and series for RJ, but it's not so don't read this book expecting it.
We are still in realm of "Witch and Wolf" in our dealings with Feneric's and Witch's but we are starting with a new couple and their workings within the FBI, and the series has been given the title "Balancing the Scales", so maybe there will be new developments but we will have to wait and see.
Karma has spent her life working her way through the FBI and even though she excels at her job her partners have let her down (understatement here), until Jake... Dramatic pause ... sorry but that's all you are going to get.
The book is great fun with lots of humour and action, Karma's an absolute scream, and her interactions with those around her are really enjoyable, even though you realise she has been driven to it, and as for her mother well I don't know what to say..
Yes there are kidnappings ect but to me they were more a back story, the real focus was Karma and Jake and how they found each other, I can only assume the next books will focus more on crime as they further their story, but that's only a guess.
Highly recommended, it can be read as a stand alone but I think you should read the other of RJ's books because it will enhance the story because it might feel a bit thin without it.
January 4, 2020
Hot mess
This book was a mess. The banter between Jake and Karma was annoying, not endearing. It's an urban fantasy book, but there's no supernatural elements until there's only 1\4 of the book left. The focus on her looking like a teenager was dumb. The author wouldn't let it go. I hate being constantly hit over the head with a plot point. I get it. And what was up with the yellow Corvet? Was this supposed to add humor? Another pointless part of the story. I don't get this book. It's not for me.
This book was a mess. The banter between Jake and Karma was annoying, not endearing. It's an urban fantasy book, but there's no supernatural elements until there's only 1\4 of the book left. The focus on her looking like a teenager was dumb. The author wouldn't let it go. I hate being constantly hit over the head with a plot point. I get it. And what was up with the yellow Corvet? Was this supposed to add humor? Another pointless part of the story. I don't get this book. It's not for me.
February 26, 2023
This was a mostly fun read, mainly because I enjoyed the banter and wacky characters. The plot was somewhat muddled near the last 1/4 of the story, stemming from that out of the blue twist. Thinking back, the hint was given earlier in the story, but without any follow up interspersed, the twist became an info dump of confusion for a few chapters.
November 24, 2023
Karma is a contradiction, she is a competent F.B.I. Agent an award winning kickboxer and in her spare time.she renovated old houses, selling them for a profit. Karma is also a person with issues, through no.fault of her.own she has been put with bad matches as far as work partners go, which has often led to her being shot or injured in the job, as a result Karma has a lot of trust issues. Jake is her current partner, he has been for the last four years and in that time he has proved repeatedly that he can be trusted to protect her back. In some ways he knows Karma better than she knows herself. Their partnership is now at an end though as when we meet Karma she is about to begin her dream job working on child abductions. Ironically before she can report.for.duty Karma finds herself kidnapped along with a small baby she just happened to be watching for her mum. The kidnappers are professional giving.no.clues as to tgeir.identities where they are taking them and what is going to happen to them, though Karma can make a good guess. Scared they mean to kill them Karma escapes with the baby and stars the dangerous trek to.find help........so begins this entertaining read, now all R.J. Blair's books include a character with mental health issues and this is no exception but Karma is a puzzle, she will.right to the death to protect someone else but her own well being she does nothing, she retreats inside herself till she reaches breaking point then walks away. Not the healthiest coping mechanism and it also puts a lot.of.pressure on those around her to be able to.read any subliminal.messages she may give.off..............
July 23, 2024
2024 bk 95. Well done introduction to Karma's world. Blain has again created characters that engage the reader and a plot that has it own unique twists and turns. Looking forward to book 2
April 2, 2021
“Karma” is an unexpected and delightful surprise. I had moderate hopes that I would enjoy this read but it surpassed my expectations by leaps and bounds.
Karma or Jar is a petite FBI agent who is constantly underestimated by her sexist colleagues. Of course that doesn’t include Jake, her partner for the past four years. He values her expertise and skills and always has her back. Their combined case closure rate is outstanding. However, Karma has worked hard to achieve her goal of working for CARD, the child abduction arm of the FBI and Jake is moving on to the DRT unit.
When Karma stands in line for a funnel cake and starts talking to a teen about Martial arts she had no idea she and the baby sister of the teen would be kidnapped in broad daylight. Since she is so petite she is often mistaken for a teen and she uses this to her benefit. After crossing several stateliness it is clear these kidnappers are skilled and ruthless. Karma just has to bid her time until she can find the opportunity to escape with the baby.
Upon learning of her kidnapping, the FBI enlists the aid of Kay’s former partner, Jake. With his assistance they are able to locate her and the baby. Back to their new jobs Kat is desk assigned and has to deal with a bunch of sexist colleagues whose ineptitude causes the death of a child. Kat can take no more so she quits. However, her boss talks her into staying while he sends her on a rogue mission to find another kidnapped child. The resulting investigation will reveal their is a common thread between a he kidnapped ba and the kidnapping of her current case.
Karma is about to step into the looking glass and into a world she never fathom existed. Her life is about to change forever. The question is will she be able to get a handle of the new world she in thrust into?
I really enjoyed this read. There is so much to recommend it such as a snarky main character, paranormal twists and turns, intrigue, romance and action. These are all of my favorite ingredients in a good read. About 35% into this book I knew it was a winner and stopped long enough to order the second installment. It was just that good. If I had a criticism it would be somethings happen pretty quickly in the progression of the characters but once you consider the oddity of Karma it makes sense. The story line is unique and I highly recommend this book. I’m off to the next installment because I just can’t wait.
Karma or Jar is a petite FBI agent who is constantly underestimated by her sexist colleagues. Of course that doesn’t include Jake, her partner for the past four years. He values her expertise and skills and always has her back. Their combined case closure rate is outstanding. However, Karma has worked hard to achieve her goal of working for CARD, the child abduction arm of the FBI and Jake is moving on to the DRT unit.
When Karma stands in line for a funnel cake and starts talking to a teen about Martial arts she had no idea she and the baby sister of the teen would be kidnapped in broad daylight. Since she is so petite she is often mistaken for a teen and she uses this to her benefit. After crossing several stateliness it is clear these kidnappers are skilled and ruthless. Karma just has to bid her time until she can find the opportunity to escape with the baby.
Upon learning of her kidnapping, the FBI enlists the aid of Kay’s former partner, Jake. With his assistance they are able to locate her and the baby. Back to their new jobs Kat is desk assigned and has to deal with a bunch of sexist colleagues whose ineptitude causes the death of a child. Kat can take no more so she quits. However, her boss talks her into staying while he sends her on a rogue mission to find another kidnapped child. The resulting investigation will reveal their is a common thread between a he kidnapped ba and the kidnapping of her current case.
Karma is about to step into the looking glass and into a world she never fathom existed. Her life is about to change forever. The question is will she be able to get a handle of the new world she in thrust into?
I really enjoyed this read. There is so much to recommend it such as a snarky main character, paranormal twists and turns, intrigue, romance and action. These are all of my favorite ingredients in a good read. About 35% into this book I knew it was a winner and stopped long enough to order the second installment. It was just that good. If I had a criticism it would be somethings happen pretty quickly in the progression of the characters but once you consider the oddity of Karma it makes sense. The story line is unique and I highly recommend this book. I’m off to the next installment because I just can’t wait.
June 13, 2016
RJ Blain's Karma will have you on the edge of your seat in this witty suspense novel. Karma is a twenty-nine-year-old woman who is often mistaken for a teenager. Ever since she was small, she had wanted to work in CARD, Child Abduction Rapid Deployment, and help rescue children for the FBI. Her dreams are finally coming true when she is dragged into a hostage situation, holding an infant. Her survival depends on her ability to fool her captors that she is a teenager and prove useful. Hopefully the FBI will figure who she is and come to her aid sooner rather than later. And just maybe, they'll bring along a sure fire way to get her back if former partner Jake Thomas has anything to say about it.
Whoa, boy, did this book put a smile on my face and keep it there until the end of the book. RJ Blain has written a fantastically witty suspense novel that kept me excited and hungry for more. I cannot wait for the next book in the series. Karma reminds me a bit of J.D. Robb's Eve Dallas with her strong, independent personality. Karma kicks ass and is not afraid to speak her mind. While suffering many setbacks in her career before advancing, Karma lets nothing stand in her way. While this is not a fast paced novel, RJ Blain creatively weaves the story to show that every detail has meaning and, while it may not be clear or glaringly obvious, it all comes together and it keeps you interested.
Whoa, boy, did this book put a smile on my face and keep it there until the end of the book. RJ Blain has written a fantastically witty suspense novel that kept me excited and hungry for more. I cannot wait for the next book in the series. Karma reminds me a bit of J.D. Robb's Eve Dallas with her strong, independent personality. Karma kicks ass and is not afraid to speak her mind. While suffering many setbacks in her career before advancing, Karma lets nothing stand in her way. While this is not a fast paced novel, RJ Blain creatively weaves the story to show that every detail has meaning and, while it may not be clear or glaringly obvious, it all comes together and it keeps you interested.
February 23, 2024
As always excellent characters, very poorly plotted.
I was reading a very good police procedural, really I was... I actually checked to see who wrote it because it was excellent. There were some little glitches with the character motivation, but PTSD could have explained them. Then, suddenly, out of nowhere, the main character was a shapeshifter and the entire excellent police procedural went down the drain... kind of like the author couldn't figure out how to deal with a Fed with PTSD and had this other story laying around, so she literally cut and pasted it to her really excellent police procedural. Honestly, RJ Blaine , you writes excellent characters. PLEASE PLEASE take some classes in plotting and story telling. Or hire yourself a good editor. Your stories have SO MUCH POTENTIAL I love your characters, I like your universes, but you writes like a butterfly, flitting from here to there with no plan in mind and you pull solutions out of your ... flowers... with no thought as to how they fit in the story. You need to learn about foreshadowing, you need to learn how to show-not-tell that someone is a villian or a good guy. Keep the magic, keep the characters... figure out the rest. If you do, you'll make a ton of money.
I was reading a very good police procedural, really I was... I actually checked to see who wrote it because it was excellent. There were some little glitches with the character motivation, but PTSD could have explained them. Then, suddenly, out of nowhere, the main character was a shapeshifter and the entire excellent police procedural went down the drain... kind of like the author couldn't figure out how to deal with a Fed with PTSD and had this other story laying around, so she literally cut and pasted it to her really excellent police procedural. Honestly, RJ Blaine , you writes excellent characters. PLEASE PLEASE take some classes in plotting and story telling. Or hire yourself a good editor. Your stories have SO MUCH POTENTIAL I love your characters, I like your universes, but you writes like a butterfly, flitting from here to there with no plan in mind and you pull solutions out of your ... flowers... with no thought as to how they fit in the story. You need to learn about foreshadowing, you need to learn how to show-not-tell that someone is a villian or a good guy. Keep the magic, keep the characters... figure out the rest. If you do, you'll make a ton of money.
June 28, 2016
I have been in a reviewing slump, which is sad because I have read some amazing books, and Karma is one of them. I am a huge fan of Blain's books; they are all on my favorites shelf, and many of them are on my books-to-read- when-I-feel-bad shelf. I have reread most of them as soon as I finish the first time. Karma is set in the Witch & Wolf world, but prior knowledge is not necessary to read this book, since Karma has no knowledge of the supernatural aspects of her world. Karma is a great character, a dedicated FBI agent with an attitude and a plan for her life. But everything changes when she finds herself in the middle of a kidnapping...as a victim. The characters are engaging, the action is thrilling, the touch of romance is nicely done, and I can't wait for book #2.
December 2, 2019
Ugh!!!! I hate when books end on a cliff hanger!!!
And the sequel hasn't come out in the THREE (that is T H R E E - 3) years following!
I love this author and was enjoying the book UNTIL it seemed to almost end mid-thought. Seriously, it almost feels like mid-sentence. Once this series is up and going again, I'm sure I'll up the star count. But I cannot recommend it to anyone the way things end presently.
And the sequel hasn't come out in the THREE (that is T H R E E - 3) years following!
I love this author and was enjoying the book UNTIL it seemed to almost end mid-thought. Seriously, it almost feels like mid-sentence. Once this series is up and going again, I'm sure I'll up the star count. But I cannot recommend it to anyone the way things end presently.
April 8, 2018
Absolutely amazing until about 70%.
Downhill from there for me. DNF
Downhill from there for me. DNF
February 1, 2021
4.5 Stars
I liked it better the second time!
I liked it better the second time!
March 19, 2020
Some spoilers!!
So I'm really confused on how to feel about this book. I like the first half of it even tho I didnt really care for Karma too much I liked the detective aspect of this book. Karma was just weird, she wasn't even quirky I like quirky characters but her reactions to things were just weird and extreme. Her relationship with Jake had no real chemistry to it they felt so much like friends or brother and sister and she gave no hint to having feelings for him in a romantic way when all of a sudden they book up and get married, and even then they didn't act like a couple. I honestly forgot it was a paranormal book till 80% of the way in when boom all of a sudden she turns into a fox. It feels like the author just sprinkled in a little bit of everything because she couldn't decide what genre she was writing. Not to mention when it was all said and done I realized we didn't learn shit about why the baby was kidnapped and what happens with the little boy! The whole book and we didn't get any answers! I feel of it was just a detective book and we got more of that story it would have been good or if she sprinkled in a little hint of supernatural and romance throughout the book and not just dropped it in out of nowhere it woulda been a great read.
So I'm really confused on how to feel about this book. I like the first half of it even tho I didnt really care for Karma too much I liked the detective aspect of this book. Karma was just weird, she wasn't even quirky I like quirky characters but her reactions to things were just weird and extreme. Her relationship with Jake had no real chemistry to it they felt so much like friends or brother and sister and she gave no hint to having feelings for him in a romantic way when all of a sudden they book up and get married, and even then they didn't act like a couple. I honestly forgot it was a paranormal book till 80% of the way in when boom all of a sudden she turns into a fox. It feels like the author just sprinkled in a little bit of everything because she couldn't decide what genre she was writing. Not to mention when it was all said and done I realized we didn't learn shit about why the baby was kidnapped and what happens with the little boy! The whole book and we didn't get any answers! I feel of it was just a detective book and we got more of that story it would have been good or if she sprinkled in a little hint of supernatural and romance throughout the book and not just dropped it in out of nowhere it woulda been a great read.
June 20, 2024
Like all RJ Blain books it is ridiculously long and unfortunately it reads like 2 different stories. The first is about a competent snarky kick ass kick boxing champ FBI agent known for her cool head and trust issues with partners working in a new job in her dream unit on missing children cases fighting sexism. They bring in her former partner (the only one of 8 she could work with) when she becomes a target as well as the hunter and there is a romance with her former partner. This story was great and I loved it. Then it morphs into a weird PNR with our formerly kick ass heroine suddenly becoming a damsel who is weak and pathetic and hysterical. And it has stupid deus ex machina family/pack that see all know all and interfere for the couple's own good that is characteristic of Blain's work. Only they are even worse than usual. That was the second part which I hated. So 4 stars for the first part 2 for the second - which would normally average 3 but then it drops another for how awful they all were to Karma about the intro to the paranormal and how stupid the whole take everything to London bit was along with the unbelievable we're your bosses boss and run the FBI stuff.
March 1, 2023
I liked this book, and it would have gotten between 2 and 5 stars depending on when in the book I was asked to rate it...
It bounced around way too much - not a necessarily coherent story... and I like the protagonists, but I thought the 'witty' banter was way over the top and too many 'assholes' got old. And in the very negative part of my review, I can not even fathom when 'pistol whipping' a partner, a loved one, a family member could become 'normalized'.
BUT with all those issues, I read it to the end, and DNF is one of the (non)stars I wish I could add to the books I start but really can't muster the enthusiasm to finish. There was much to appreciate in this book. It just seems so very peripatetic. Like a bunch of short stories all stitched together.
(Also - reading other reviews, I have not read other RJ Blain books, so had no particular world building beyond what was provided in this book.)
It bounced around way too much - not a necessarily coherent story... and I like the protagonists, but I thought the 'witty' banter was way over the top and too many 'assholes' got old. And in the very negative part of my review, I can not even fathom when 'pistol whipping' a partner, a loved one, a family member could become 'normalized'.
BUT with all those issues, I read it to the end, and DNF is one of the (non)stars I wish I could add to the books I start but really can't muster the enthusiasm to finish. There was much to appreciate in this book. It just seems so very peripatetic. Like a bunch of short stories all stitched together.
(Also - reading other reviews, I have not read other RJ Blain books, so had no particular world building beyond what was provided in this book.)
December 28, 2020
Second time around...
No Spoilers...
This is the second time I have read this book, and it just got better in the retelling.
What I love is the way the author deals with real life issues in a fantasy environment. I read fantasy and paranormal for a reason - pure escapism. I run away from anything remotely resembling the real world, it’s issues and the grief caused.
Yet Ms. Blain has a way of writing that is unstoppable, enticing, enlightening and shows a light at the end of a tunnel that isn’t necessarily a train... ok, maybe a small train, n]but it’s doable.
Damn, note to self, don’t try and write reviews after reading straight into the wee hours of the morn. I’m near. Need sleep.
Read the damn book. It’s damn good. You’ll like it, and you’ll love the characters too.
Good night.
No Spoilers...
This is the second time I have read this book, and it just got better in the retelling.
What I love is the way the author deals with real life issues in a fantasy environment. I read fantasy and paranormal for a reason - pure escapism. I run away from anything remotely resembling the real world, it’s issues and the grief caused.
Yet Ms. Blain has a way of writing that is unstoppable, enticing, enlightening and shows a light at the end of a tunnel that isn’t necessarily a train... ok, maybe a small train, n]but it’s doable.
Damn, note to self, don’t try and write reviews after reading straight into the wee hours of the morn. I’m near. Need sleep.
Read the damn book. It’s damn good. You’ll like it, and you’ll love the characters too.
Good night.
May 19, 2021
Of course a certain diminutive overachieving hard-nosed ambitious FBI agent would be named Karma. Is that a reflection on her background or on her fixation on serving justice? That is for the reader to to find out. Seriously, all she needs is the costume to play Jennifer Estep's Karma Girl. (Cue the puns!) Next question - just what kind of man would be a fit partner (in both senses of the word) for this pint-sized dynamo? Just wait until you meet Jake. Ooooo..... This was simultaneously a thrillingly unconventional police procedural, a touchingly rocky contemporary romance and a wild and wacky road trip reminiscent of Thelma and Louise. I really enjoyed this!
January 2, 2021
Crime thriller meets supernatural
So a complaint I read in another review was about the insertion of supernatural near the end, but it makes complete sense since the narrator is the main character who from the start is unaware of the supernatural world. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to the next. I’ve read more from another series of RJ Blain’s but definitely going to be using my Xmas gift card to pick up the second to this and more in this particular world of hers. Definitely recommend!
So a complaint I read in another review was about the insertion of supernatural near the end, but it makes complete sense since the narrator is the main character who from the start is unaware of the supernatural world. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to the next. I’ve read more from another series of RJ Blain’s but definitely going to be using my Xmas gift card to pick up the second to this and more in this particular world of hers. Definitely recommend!
September 17, 2021
This book is based on an interesting idea, but it reads sort like the author had lost a battle with ADHD, switching to a new plot thread every couple dozen of pages after only shallowly glancing over the previous ones. There is such thing as too many turns and twists. Or maybe it just needed a better editing to cut out some unnecessary switches of direction.
While I felt like I mostly enjoyed reading it while I was reading it, not that I'm done, I'm feeling more frustrated than satisfied. I wish some of the good ideas in this story were given more time and space.
While I felt like I mostly enjoyed reading it while I was reading it, not that I'm done, I'm feeling more frustrated than satisfied. I wish some of the good ideas in this story were given more time and space.
December 24, 2020
Wow!
Ok, if you have read only the Magical Romantic Comedy (with a body count) series from RJ Blain, hold onto your hats! This book is way different. It has some humor, but it is darker and beefier than her comedy books. I loved it! The main couple does not have an easy, trouble free relationship. Karma goes through a lot physically and emotionally. This book took me on an emotional rollercoaster. I cried, held my breath (in fear and anticipation), giggled and cheered.
Ok, if you have read only the Magical Romantic Comedy (with a body count) series from RJ Blain, hold onto your hats! This book is way different. It has some humor, but it is darker and beefier than her comedy books. I loved it! The main couple does not have an easy, trouble free relationship. Karma goes through a lot physically and emotionally. This book took me on an emotional rollercoaster. I cried, held my breath (in fear and anticipation), giggled and cheered.
January 1, 2021
Even better than I dared hope
I've done to realize that no matter what topic requires addressing, RJ Blain will dive in head first, add enough humor to not make it depressing, but still shove harsh reality at us. This has significantly less humor than some of the other books, but the humor would've only detracted from the brilliance. A good author knows where that line is, and this is evidence that RJ Blain is a brilliant author.
I've done to realize that no matter what topic requires addressing, RJ Blain will dive in head first, add enough humor to not make it depressing, but still shove harsh reality at us. This has significantly less humor than some of the other books, but the humor would've only detracted from the brilliance. A good author knows where that line is, and this is evidence that RJ Blain is a brilliant author.
January 12, 2021
Good but odd
Okay it was good, then at about 70% it got weird. Like not a hint of shifters etc until that point then boom.... all shifters all the time. The story was still good, but it was literally like someone swapped the story out to a whole other book at 70%. The snark, drama and characters are RJ Blains normal style and what I enjoy from her. I'll definitely give book two a try.
Okay it was good, then at about 70% it got weird. Like not a hint of shifters etc until that point then boom.... all shifters all the time. The story was still good, but it was literally like someone swapped the story out to a whole other book at 70%. The snark, drama and characters are RJ Blains normal style and what I enjoy from her. I'll definitely give book two a try.
January 27, 2021
This is part of the wolf and witch series took me a while to release that.
Most of the book is more like a FBI thriller story but kept me reading while cooking and then eating
The romance is sweet and leaves the rest to the imagination
It was the first book i had read of the series so that I had to go find the other books in the series to read.
Very much looking forward to the next book in the series
Most of the book is more like a FBI thriller story but kept me reading while cooking and then eating
The romance is sweet and leaves the rest to the imagination
It was the first book i had read of the series so that I had to go find the other books in the series to read.
Very much looking forward to the next book in the series
August 8, 2024
loved it!
I started reading this author’s “body count” books and fell in love. While the style is very different, this book is just as good in its own way. The body count series is great fun and a little “fluffy” with lots of laughs which really are the primary point, with plot being somewhat secondary (although still there). This book still has humor, but it’s secondary to the plot.
I started reading this author’s “body count” books and fell in love. While the style is very different, this book is just as good in its own way. The body count series is great fun and a little “fluffy” with lots of laughs which really are the primary point, with plot being somewhat secondary (although still there). This book still has humor, but it’s secondary to the plot.
April 23, 2019
Another awesome book along the witch and wolf universe
This boo was another gem that delivered. I can’t wait to read the next in this series. Karma is another truly wonderful character who kicks butt and has a humorous vulnerability that makes you laugh and cry with her. Thank you for another awesome read.
This boo was another gem that delivered. I can’t wait to read the next in this series. Karma is another truly wonderful character who kicks butt and has a humorous vulnerability that makes you laugh and cry with her. Thank you for another awesome read.
August 16, 2019
Kickass heroine
Karma is one badass woman who will do anything to protect and recover kids in danger. She is a badass, feisty, smart and funny. I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone who likes a kickass woman who can take care of herself and won’t settle for less than the best.
Karma is one badass woman who will do anything to protect and recover kids in danger. She is a badass, feisty, smart and funny. I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone who likes a kickass woman who can take care of herself and won’t settle for less than the best.
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