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Talions #2
Dark Warrior Unbroken
Enter the secret world of the Talions fierce, passionate warriors fighting for their very existence in Alexis Morgan's sizzling new paranormal series.
He's on a mission for justice.
Sandor Kearn is the Talion Enforcer tasked with policing his people, the Kyth. His latest assignment is the new killer stalking the streets of Seattle. But while Sandor is hunting the Kyth renegade, someone else is hunting him.
She's on a quest for the truth.
When Lena Wilson's mentor died investigating an arson case and the police ran out of leads, she vowed to find justice herself. Lena who doesn't know she is part Kyth has the ability to see fragmented flashbacks of the crimes she's investigating through her sense of touch. And when she meets Sandor, she feels suspicion and desire like she's never known.
It's only a matter of time before they touch....
With dark forces closing in, Sandor must keep Lena from digging deeper and exposing the existence of the Kyth. The only way is to convince her of his innocence. But how can he, when he can't keep his hands off her?
338 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 15, 2009
12 people are currently reading
706 people want to read
About the author
Alexis Morgan
98 books999 followersAlexis Morgan grew up near St. Louis and received a B.A. in English from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. She and her husband have made the Pacific Northwest their home for more than thirty years, where she launched her career as a writer. She is published in paranormal romance, fantasy romance, American West historicals, and most recently, contemporary romances with her new Snowberry Creek series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
June 22, 2010
I liked this book, in fact I really like the series. The only reason I didn't give this book 5 stars is that Lena really made me mad.
She came back to Seattle to find the killer of her friend Coop-he was killed in the previous book by a renegade Kyth. So her whole personality is very abide the rules of the law. Well Sandor is the law for the Kyth...he is the Grand Dame's right hand man. His job is to hunt down the renegades and kill them. The law is very clear-if a Kyth harms humans, they are killed. Well Lena just can't understand Sandor. It drives me nuts that she never once seems to understand that the law has to be that way...the renegades are too dangerous to be amongst the normal human population, and if one were sent to prison, he could feed off the energy there causing untold numbers of deaths. Therefore the Kyth police themselves. Lena just never shows that comprehension. I love Sandor, and I really liked the story...I am super excited for the next one with Greyhill Danby, his epilogue has intrigued me for certain.
I know this isn't one of my normal reviews, but man I was just so unsatisfied with the ending. And the weird thing is that I'm happy the Kyth kids (who were the renegades) were spared and given a second chance. I think Lena just never showed that she "got" the importance of Sandor's job. She understood that the darkness left over was going to kill him one day, and helped him with his compassion, but I think Lena just irritated me.
She came back to Seattle to find the killer of her friend Coop-he was killed in the previous book by a renegade Kyth. So her whole personality is very abide the rules of the law. Well Sandor is the law for the Kyth...he is the Grand Dame's right hand man. His job is to hunt down the renegades and kill them. The law is very clear-if a Kyth harms humans, they are killed. Well Lena just can't understand Sandor. It drives me nuts that she never once seems to understand that the law has to be that way...the renegades are too dangerous to be amongst the normal human population, and if one were sent to prison, he could feed off the energy there causing untold numbers of deaths. Therefore the Kyth police themselves. Lena just never shows that comprehension. I love Sandor, and I really liked the story...I am super excited for the next one with Greyhill Danby, his epilogue has intrigued me for certain.
I know this isn't one of my normal reviews, but man I was just so unsatisfied with the ending. And the weird thing is that I'm happy the Kyth kids (who were the renegades) were spared and given a second chance. I think Lena just never showed that she "got" the importance of Sandor's job. She understood that the darkness left over was going to kill him one day, and helped him with his compassion, but I think Lena just irritated me.
December 24, 2020
2.5 stars. It was an okay read but wasn't very unique and I wasn't in love with the characters. The premise sounded interesting and I might pick another book from this series and hope for the best. Im feeling this has potential to be an Interesting series to read but I was bit disappointed in this book.
March 27, 2011
2.5 stars.
Well, not what I expected. For some reason after reading book 1 I thought this series could only get better, but it really didn't. Just the opposite actually. I lost all interest in this series. I will be reading next book some time soon just to finish the series, and I'm only finishing the series for that very same reason: because there is only one more book in it. But finishing this book was hard, really really hard. It took me forever because I constantly lost interest. Most things were lame and cheesy. The plot was terribly explain and most of the times it didn't even make sense. It's like the author tried to build a whole new world but it makes a terrible job explaining it to us. We know there is a whole other species of human Beings, the Kyth, but we never get to know anything about them. We know for fact that the queen is there, that she has 2 warriors working for her and that's about it. We never get to know any other Kyth, not even one is mention. We just know there are a lot out there but we don't know nothing about them. Then we know they have some weird powers but we never get to understand them because they are not well explained and it seems all of them are different but we don't never see how. The name of the series is Talions but there are only 2 we get to know, isn't that just BAD? I mean, how am I the only one who feels this way?
For me a series has to have a very well explained plot. I don't care if it takes a whole book to explain this series to me, I found it necessary in order to enjoy a series. I usually don't enjoy the first book in a series for this very same reason, but this first book lets me get to love the rest. Well, we never get the explanations of the world building in this series, just some lose facts here and there. I definitely have some major problems with this series due to this. And my problems are not with the author (I really had to clarify that) because I LOVED her Paladins of darkness series big time. It even got to my top 100 shelf, but this one.... well... let me just say I could have gone without it and not loose a thing. I really don't recommend this series and I just can't understand why any of my friends in here have given a lower rate to it. I guess because only 5 or 6 have read it.
I must admit that after the 80% of the book, things got actually better but I wont give a higher rate to a book just because I enjoyed the last pages when I got bored to death with the rest. I didn't like the plot, I didn't like the characters and I definitely hated how things developed. It took them forever to realize who the "bad guys" where while we knew from the beginning of the book, and things would have been way more entertaining if we had read more about how they solve it and not so much about them trying and failing to solve it. I was really in a need to know more about those "bad guys" but the ending was rushed IMHO and we didn't see that much about them.
To sum up I just think this series had a huge potential because the Talions and Kyth thing was great but it was terribly done. But who knows, only 3 books have been publish, the author still has time to make it better. Most of my fav series started out bad an solve things ending as favs of mine. So I wont lose hope. I hope next is better but if it isn't I won't be reading anything else about this series anymore.
Go Paladins! LOL.
Well, not what I expected. For some reason after reading book 1 I thought this series could only get better, but it really didn't. Just the opposite actually. I lost all interest in this series. I will be reading next book some time soon just to finish the series, and I'm only finishing the series for that very same reason: because there is only one more book in it. But finishing this book was hard, really really hard. It took me forever because I constantly lost interest. Most things were lame and cheesy. The plot was terribly explain and most of the times it didn't even make sense. It's like the author tried to build a whole new world but it makes a terrible job explaining it to us. We know there is a whole other species of human Beings, the Kyth, but we never get to know anything about them. We know for fact that the queen is there, that she has 2 warriors working for her and that's about it. We never get to know any other Kyth, not even one is mention. We just know there are a lot out there but we don't know nothing about them. Then we know they have some weird powers but we never get to understand them because they are not well explained and it seems all of them are different but we don't never see how. The name of the series is Talions but there are only 2 we get to know, isn't that just BAD? I mean, how am I the only one who feels this way?
For me a series has to have a very well explained plot. I don't care if it takes a whole book to explain this series to me, I found it necessary in order to enjoy a series. I usually don't enjoy the first book in a series for this very same reason, but this first book lets me get to love the rest. Well, we never get the explanations of the world building in this series, just some lose facts here and there. I definitely have some major problems with this series due to this. And my problems are not with the author (I really had to clarify that) because I LOVED her Paladins of darkness series big time. It even got to my top 100 shelf, but this one.... well... let me just say I could have gone without it and not loose a thing. I really don't recommend this series and I just can't understand why any of my friends in here have given a lower rate to it. I guess because only 5 or 6 have read it.
I must admit that after the 80% of the book, things got actually better but I wont give a higher rate to a book just because I enjoyed the last pages when I got bored to death with the rest. I didn't like the plot, I didn't like the characters and I definitely hated how things developed. It took them forever to realize who the "bad guys" where while we knew from the beginning of the book, and things would have been way more entertaining if we had read more about how they solve it and not so much about them trying and failing to solve it. I was really in a need to know more about those "bad guys" but the ending was rushed IMHO and we didn't see that much about them.
To sum up I just think this series had a huge potential because the Talions and Kyth thing was great but it was terribly done. But who knows, only 3 books have been publish, the author still has time to make it better. Most of my fav series started out bad an solve things ending as favs of mine. So I wont lose hope. I hope next is better but if it isn't I won't be reading anything else about this series anymore.
Go Paladins! LOL.
June 14, 2010
What's not to love about the Tailons and the world that Alexis has created. Dark Warrior Unbroken was a chance to discover more about Sandor Kearn, chief Tailon warrior. Faced with the challenge of finding a rogue Kyth that is preying on the humans in his city, he finds himself running into a very special human, Lena Wilson.
Lena has come to Seattle to find the killer of her best friend & mentor. She knows that there's more to his death, and her investigation leads her straight to the Dame's doorstep and Sandor Kearn.
Lena's attraction is immediate to this dark haired, handsome man, but she knows something is different about him; she knows she must be on her guard.
Kerry, is just getting settled into her new position as Grand Dame, taking things slowly, but thankful to have her viking warrior by her side. Some of the Kyth of other territories are questioning the late Dame's decision to choose her as secessor. A powerful Tailon warrior, Grey Danby, has been dispatched to from the UK to check in on the new Dame. What exactly could be the meaning of this visit?
I love the story and the new characters that get introduced. I look forward to finding out the next step in each of thier lives and what excitement lies around the corner.
A Great read.
Lena has come to Seattle to find the killer of her best friend & mentor. She knows that there's more to his death, and her investigation leads her straight to the Dame's doorstep and Sandor Kearn.
Lena's attraction is immediate to this dark haired, handsome man, but she knows something is different about him; she knows she must be on her guard.
Kerry, is just getting settled into her new position as Grand Dame, taking things slowly, but thankful to have her viking warrior by her side. Some of the Kyth of other territories are questioning the late Dame's decision to choose her as secessor. A powerful Tailon warrior, Grey Danby, has been dispatched to from the UK to check in on the new Dame. What exactly could be the meaning of this visit?
I love the story and the new characters that get introduced. I look forward to finding out the next step in each of thier lives and what excitement lies around the corner.
A Great read.
April 10, 2011
While I liked this book I found Lena to be a bit judgmental. Things started off fine, but once she learned what Sandor was and what his job was she got very judgy of the whole Kyth race. And of course she ends up pretty much getting her way at the end, because Sandor sort of agrees with her. To give her some credit she did agree that they were right in killing Braden.
The two together were pretty hot. Certainly don't feel they rushed things too quickly. And actually Lena accepted the Kyth race pretty well, without any freaking out. So she does get some points for that.
The two together were pretty hot. Certainly don't feel they rushed things too quickly. And actually Lena accepted the Kyth race pretty well, without any freaking out. So she does get some points for that.
July 8, 2010
A quick and easy read. The story has just been done too many times. A women damaged from the death of a loved one. She needs to avenge his death and meets up with an assassin(hot and hunky) that has some "other" qualities. Of course she does too, but does not really want to see the connection. Ok, the conflict, He kills she saves, how are they going to make it work. Yes, there is instant heat between them, and they don't understand it.
The book was just too textbook formula, I've read it before written much better. I do not think I will continue to read this author.
The book was just too textbook formula, I've read it before written much better. I do not think I will continue to read this author.
September 17, 2019
Well, this was kind of an accident, I was looking for a book called 'Unbroken' and got this one instead. Quite a surprise though. I missed the first one and with that the beginning of the (seemingly very complicated fantasy) story but it soon became obvious that it doesn't really matter. This is a book where you now what's gonna happen after 20 pages.
That said, what a surprise! Strong female character who actually stayed strong and wow for the guy who let her do it. We also got two sidekicks and surprise, one of them is a strong female character who's actually the boss of the guys and manages to do her job with a great sense of humour. I was almost shocked at this point. I bet the first book was the exact copy of this one where the sidekicks met and insta love was there. :P
Other than this though it's a pretty generic story with a totally predictable outcome and half of the book is fairly skippable. Oh, and really, Talions? Maybe it's just my dirty mind but the Italian stallion kept coming to my mind... Especially with the descriptions. :D
That said, what a surprise! Strong female character who actually stayed strong and wow for the guy who let her do it. We also got two sidekicks and surprise, one of them is a strong female character who's actually the boss of the guys and manages to do her job with a great sense of humour. I was almost shocked at this point. I bet the first book was the exact copy of this one where the sidekicks met and insta love was there. :P
Other than this though it's a pretty generic story with a totally predictable outcome and half of the book is fairly skippable. Oh, and really, Talions? Maybe it's just my dirty mind but the Italian stallion kept coming to my mind... Especially with the descriptions. :D
November 11, 2021
Registered on Bookcrossing - https://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/...
Really good story, I love when the hero and his lover are both strong willed.
Really good story, I love when the hero and his lover are both strong willed.
December 12, 2010
Dark Warrior Unbroken follows on quite quickly from Dark Warrior Unleashed.
Dark Warrior Unbroken had quite a slow start compared to the first book and it took me a while to get into it. It did pick up some as the book went on but it wasn't really gripping I could have put it down and forgotten about it for a little while before my brain reminded me that I hadn't finished reading it.
It was really great to have Sandor as the hero in this book, I quite liked him and Lena together. Although at times Lena did seem to have to be everywhere that Sandor was even though she's human and if she got hurt she wouldn't be able to heal like Sandor but she still had to be there, right there, in the middle of everything. It got slightly annoying for me because then Sandor would be worrying about her and then something would go wrong and Sandor would have to let the killer slip from his grasp, yet again because he was too worried about Lena. Ok, so it only happened three times but it was a little repetitive and annoying. But I do wonder if Lena had been full blooded Kyth would it have bothered me as much? Possibly. I'm not 100% sure.
I quite liked the fact that Lena liked Sandor in his black leather duster that kept reminding her of Angel, you know that TV series many years ago, which was a spin off from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It added some humour and helped to show that Lena was just as attracted to Sandor as he was to her.
It was great to find out who the 'killer' was and how Kerry as The Dame wanted Sandor to handle the situation. It showed a nicer side to Sandor's job as Enforcer instead of just killing the Kyth were didn't use the rules the Kyth lived by.
Overall I did quite like Dark Warrior Unbroken, I enjoyed the small twists and turns that appeared in the storyline that went along and gave the story that little bit something more.
Dark Warrior Unbroken had quite a slow start compared to the first book and it took me a while to get into it. It did pick up some as the book went on but it wasn't really gripping I could have put it down and forgotten about it for a little while before my brain reminded me that I hadn't finished reading it.
It was really great to have Sandor as the hero in this book, I quite liked him and Lena together. Although at times Lena did seem to have to be everywhere that Sandor was even though she's human and if she got hurt she wouldn't be able to heal like Sandor but she still had to be there, right there, in the middle of everything. It got slightly annoying for me because then Sandor would be worrying about her and then something would go wrong and Sandor would have to let the killer slip from his grasp, yet again because he was too worried about Lena. Ok, so it only happened three times but it was a little repetitive and annoying. But I do wonder if Lena had been full blooded Kyth would it have bothered me as much? Possibly. I'm not 100% sure.
I quite liked the fact that Lena liked Sandor in his black leather duster that kept reminding her of Angel, you know that TV series many years ago, which was a spin off from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It added some humour and helped to show that Lena was just as attracted to Sandor as he was to her.
It was great to find out who the 'killer' was and how Kerry as The Dame wanted Sandor to handle the situation. It showed a nicer side to Sandor's job as Enforcer instead of just killing the Kyth were didn't use the rules the Kyth lived by.
Overall I did quite like Dark Warrior Unbroken, I enjoyed the small twists and turns that appeared in the storyline that went along and gave the story that little bit something more.
January 9, 2025
After the death of her mentor and adoptive father, the heroine must make use of her stranger and mostly unwanted powers. In her search she finds the hero and after trailing him for a few days actually outsmarts the immortal by staying one step ahead of him until she's caught.
The hero knows who killed her friend and in fact, he's already killed the killer but he can't very well tell the human that the man was a rogue Kyr. But after he witnesses the heroine powers it's clear that though she's human in most aspects, she's also a member of his race. They begin a affair quite quickly and the speed in which they leapt into bed together put me off a bit. But it's only after the sleep together that the heroine touches the hero's magical tattoo and sees the death of her friend and the events afterward for herself. She's feels betrayed by the hero but in typical over dramatic female fashion, all she cares about is the fact that her new lover is a murderer.
I can't stand stupid ignorant characters and the heroine certain was that. Even knowing for a fact that the paranormal world exists and being a part of it herself, she's unable to wrap her head around the idea of the human authorities being unable to bring the rogues to justice. She kept proclaiming that she's a law abiding citizen and that the hero is nothing but a killer YET, the guy brings donuts over and she's instantly forgiving and flat on her back.
The book was basic in it's writing and was shallow without much character development. Although I did catch a spark of the hero's inward battle with the raising darkness within him, it was never explored. It was an alright book but certainly it was colored beige.
The hero knows who killed her friend and in fact, he's already killed the killer but he can't very well tell the human that the man was a rogue Kyr. But after he witnesses the heroine powers it's clear that though she's human in most aspects, she's also a member of his race. They begin a affair quite quickly and the speed in which they leapt into bed together put me off a bit. But it's only after the sleep together that the heroine touches the hero's magical tattoo and sees the death of her friend and the events afterward for herself. She's feels betrayed by the hero but in typical over dramatic female fashion, all she cares about is the fact that her new lover is a murderer.
I can't stand stupid ignorant characters and the heroine certain was that. Even knowing for a fact that the paranormal world exists and being a part of it herself, she's unable to wrap her head around the idea of the human authorities being unable to bring the rogues to justice. She kept proclaiming that she's a law abiding citizen and that the hero is nothing but a killer YET, the guy brings donuts over and she's instantly forgiving and flat on her back.
The book was basic in it's writing and was shallow without much character development. Although I did catch a spark of the hero's inward battle with the raising darkness within him, it was never explored. It was an alright book but certainly it was colored beige.
December 11, 2009
I loved the first book in this series - Dark Warrior Unleashed. And I was looking forward to more of the same with this 2nd entry in Morgan's Talions series, but I came away feeling disappointed and cheated.
This is Sandor Kearns and Lena Wilson's story. Sandor is the Chief Enforcer of the Talions, what I would equate with the "chief of police" position. It is his job to take out renegade Kyth and keep their people a secret from society. I never really got a good feel for his personality, other than being dark, broody and ready to fight.
Lena Wilson is his love interest. She has some unique talents. Grand Dame Kerry and Sandor both believe she has some Kyth ancestry yet Lena vehemently denies it and except for this one scene, you never hear anything else about her heritage. Lena is also slightly TSTL and manages to get herself hurt on one occasion because she refuses to listen. She comes across as a know-it-all and a little bit self righteous.
I never felt the romance between these two really clicked. They are hot for each other. Now she is mad at him. Now she's forgiven him. Now he's mad at her. Whatever!
The only bright spots in this book are the continuing scenes with Grand Dame Kerry and her Consort/Husband Ranulf; the introduction of Tara, who has abilities similar to Kerry and a new man on the scene - Grey Danby, who I believe will be the next "hero" in this series. If not for that bright spot I believe I would give up this series after reading this disappointing entry.
This is Sandor Kearns and Lena Wilson's story. Sandor is the Chief Enforcer of the Talions, what I would equate with the "chief of police" position. It is his job to take out renegade Kyth and keep their people a secret from society. I never really got a good feel for his personality, other than being dark, broody and ready to fight.
Lena Wilson is his love interest. She has some unique talents. Grand Dame Kerry and Sandor both believe she has some Kyth ancestry yet Lena vehemently denies it and except for this one scene, you never hear anything else about her heritage. Lena is also slightly TSTL and manages to get herself hurt on one occasion because she refuses to listen. She comes across as a know-it-all and a little bit self righteous.
I never felt the romance between these two really clicked. They are hot for each other. Now she is mad at him. Now she's forgiven him. Now he's mad at her. Whatever!
The only bright spots in this book are the continuing scenes with Grand Dame Kerry and her Consort/Husband Ranulf; the introduction of Tara, who has abilities similar to Kerry and a new man on the scene - Grey Danby, who I believe will be the next "hero" in this series. If not for that bright spot I believe I would give up this series after reading this disappointing entry.
December 25, 2012
BORING! I loved the first book in the series, but I couldn't wait to get through this book to move on to the next in the series. The first issue I had with this book is that it took four chapters before the H/H were in the same scene. That's a big no-no for a romance. Sandor was a flat character for me. He had no personality. I didn't get the "tough warrior" vibe from him. I just pictured him as a pretty boy trying to fill a warriors shoes and it just didn't work for me. Lena wasn't very likable. She was too judgmental and all they seemed to do was have sex and the sex scenes were even boring. The sub-plot could have had more conflict. A group of kids feeding from humans to survive didn't really do it for me, but the author did a good job of making the renegades three dimensional and giving them pretty good motivation, but again, the conflict lacked intensity for me. The series started off strong with the first book, but fell on its face with the second. I could care less about the characters and I had more of an interest in Kerry and Ranulf in this book. Hopefully the next book is better.
September 18, 2011
This book was quite interesting from the start. When see the deep emotions and the effects those emotions have on a woman's everyday life. Lena is dealing with the loss of one of her best friends and the guilt that she never quite made up with him after a break in their friendship. She's investigating her murder when she runs across Sandor and nothing her brain can tell her will let her rest until she finds out more about him.
The romance between these two characters is fast and hot, but carries with it the dangers of trusting too soon and the downfalls of not trusting at all.
Sandor carries a darkness within him that leaves Lena fighting with her inner nature and law and order personality. But as they work together to find the find guys thing slowly begin to unravel for them.
In the end the story has a very unique happy ending with Sandor proving once and for all how great a guy he really is.
Can't wait for the next book in the series so we can get to know more about these unique individuals.
The romance between these two characters is fast and hot, but carries with it the dangers of trusting too soon and the downfalls of not trusting at all.
Sandor carries a darkness within him that leaves Lena fighting with her inner nature and law and order personality. But as they work together to find the find guys thing slowly begin to unravel for them.
In the end the story has a very unique happy ending with Sandor proving once and for all how great a guy he really is.
Can't wait for the next book in the series so we can get to know more about these unique individuals.
June 8, 2014
I really enjoyed the first book. This one was like a step back. The heroine truly got on my nerves and that took me right out of the story. She needed a sharp kick off of her high horse and I didn't understand why the author chose to portray her like that. I started skimming over parts simply because I was pretty much over the story and lost interest in the ending. This had potential but something went terribly, terribly wrong.
May 4, 2012
This is book 2 in the Talion series and I'm still just not feeling the love for these characters. This book introduces us to 4 more characters and doesn't really flesh out a single one of them, not even the main love interest. It's not a bad series so far, just not a memorable one. It does have action and adventure and paranormal romance but the sex is a bit short on chemistry.
December 2, 2014
Really enjoying this series, especially the fact the Kerry & Ranulf don't disappear never to be heard from again like in so many other serials. The outcome of course is rather predictable, but I love the writing style and found myself thoroughly engrossed in the characters. Have already started on book 3 :)
December 14, 2010
Not as good as the first one; one of the really annoying things is the heroine kept calling Sandor "lover," like she either forgot or didn't like his name. But it was okay over all.
July 15, 2012
I finished this book and am still not for sure what it was about.
April 11, 2016
I saw this at the library, but it was the 2nd in a series &they dint hav the 1st. The author shared no details from 1st book or any at all about the Kyth, their abilities or history so I was lost &waited for her 2share wut her characters were. No such luck. It soon became apparent wut was more imp. 2the author than world building.
The instant attraction rly annoyed. They c each other as she walks out of the room at Kerry’s &he’s there. The next day she parks down the block 2spy bcuz she knows they know mor about her friend’s death than they let on. She thinks Sandor is the killer bcuz she can c wut’s happened at a place, &she saw the build of the killer. Just because he was at Kerry’s house and Kerry was a witness, &she knows they know more than they’re saying, doesn’t mean he’s a murderer or that she has to follow him around. It was pretty flimsy.
She says “hot damn,” likin the eye candy &lovin a man in a duster, the way he moves. I can’t fathom the absurdity of admiring sum1 u suspect—wrongly, but still—of murdering ur friend. &Sandor who is at a restaurant is thinkin how 2draw out the Kyth. He tries 2think of sumthin happier &whose image comes 2mind than the stranger he only saw 4a sec? He’s interested in the color of her eyes, despite that he knows she’s goin 2b a prob.
Idk y authors do instant attraction, make the characters so attracted 2each other they’re thinkin about each other at times it duznt mak any sense2, like it’s a betrayal if they don’t think of each other since the sec they met. He’s alredy wantin2 tell her the truth that a renegade killed Coop &they’re not human. Way 2rush things. I found it odd Sandor referred 2Cooper as “Coop.” Did Sandor no him? Was he an acquaintance? It doesn’t mak sense 4Sandor 2call him that. Lena& Sandor hav the same personality &speech.
She follows him &as he comes out of the restaurant she’s sayin hot damn again. I hate wen authors use the same expressions 2close 2gether, or2 often, esp wen they’re not good 1s.
“Hot damn, sum1 that good-looking shud come w/a warning label. Did he even realize how many women stopped 2stare at him? Evidently not, bcuz he looked totally unaware of all the attention.”
It’s tryin 2hard &forcin it, it duznt mean anything. I can’t get a read on her personality. It duznt seem in character 4her 2b sayin hot damn. &it’s simple writing w/no depth.
“She wished she at least knew his name. A woman shud know that much about the man she’d b featuring in her dreams.”
R u serious? Ur followin him 4a murder, the murder of ur BF. U suspect this guy of killin, even sed his good looks dint earn him any bonus points bcuz she’d seen 2many criminals use their good looks as tools of their trade. Y the heck do authors do this? Just slow the freak down. It’s not goin2 kill readers if they don’t pant after each other every sec. B4 we even know anything about the characters we know they want each other.
Enter Sean,Kerry &Kenny, whose behavior is bein held from us, not sure y. Waitin 4no reason2 divulge info is not a plot device. They need 2feed& touch ppl…
Sandor spars w/Ranulf, the Viking married 2Kerry. “The man had ben a legend among their kind 4much of his long life; the grim, implacable arbiter of justice, a killer w/no conscience.”
This smacks of a certain Dark Series. Seems I’ve stumbled upon yet another Christine Feehan knockoff. I can’t get awy from that series even tho I’ve long since quit readin it. Ranulf sounds a lot like Gregori. Just say he was judge, jury& executioner &u’ve got a Carpathian hunter. &the “renegades?” Srsly, it’s like shewent in&put in synonyms 4 Feehan’s creation. Rogue vampires changes 2renegade Kyth. Gregori was sumthin of justice &Ranulf’s the arbiter of justice.
“He needed a shower, he needed his bed,&he needed 2get a certain blonde out of his mind.”
Y was he thinkin of her? Bcuz he talked 2her? Bcuz he saw her today? No. It’s none of those things bcuz they only saw each other4 2 freaking secs in passing so ytf is he even thinkin of her? STOP HAVIN THEM THINK OF EACH OTHER ALL THE TIME.
Sandor uses the phrase hot damn2. This is the mark of obscure, shallow writing where the author gives the same personality 2all the characters. It duznt mak sense 4Sandor, who is centuries old--Idk how many bcuz the author hasn’t deemed it important 2let us know how old her characters r—2b usin this modern phrase. &it seemed vry modern 4 Ranulf, Kerry &Sandor 2watch a baseball game. Wonder y sum1 who is ovr? 10 centuries old wud care about a game.
&he can’t go 1 sec w/o thinkin of her. He types Lena’s name in&searches 4her. That must hav ben some meeting. Watchin a woman walk out of a room must rly hook u in.
“Considering the strength of her visceral reaction 2him, she had 2work extra hard 2bank the heat he stirred in her. That was the last thing she needed—or wanted. Rly.”
Wut reaction? I got no reaction just from her lookin at him. I HATE instant lust.
He feels he’s bein watched, pretends 2tie his shoe, looks &sees it’s Lena.
“He cudn’t wait 2get his hands on her&find out y she was trackin him. Well, that& bcuz he’d ben wantin 2get his hands on her since he’d laid eyes on her. Considerin that long-legged stride of hers &pretty sun-bright hair, how had he missed pickin her out of the crowd b4 now? Thanks 2the combined rush of adrenaline &testosterone, he had some serious regrets that this was all about business ¬ pleasure.
Tho a guy cud always hope.”
U c sum1 4 2 secs w/blond hair, blue eyes &long legs &u just want ur hands on them immediately? Was there anything else about her or do u just want a woman based on those 3 lone attributes?
Then the dumb woman syndrome strikes again after he pounces on her.
“She shud’ve fought him off, but her only coherent thought was wonderin how a man his size cud move so fast&so silently.”
Great, a dumb woman that has the absolute wrong reaction &is 2caught up admiring his strength &grace 2hav the proper one.
I din’t expect her tailin him 2b ended so soon. After only a few times of her followin him he sees it’s her, then grabs her. The back of the bk led me 2 beleve Lena was huntin him 2kill him, not merely starin at him from a parked car down from Kerry’s house &followin him just 2c where he’s goin. She didn’t learn anything about him, she dint confirm or deny he was the killer, she dint touch anything 2c flashbacks of him. All she did was c that he wore a jacket—the famous duster. I got so sick of hearin about that duster. It was kind of cute wen she sed she followed him bcuz of the way he looks in the jacket &he blushes.
“Altho it wud b a long time b4 she cud 4get the rich smell of his aftershave, combined w/the scent of his leather coat. A powerful urge 2bury her face aginst his chest &simply breathe him in washed ovr her.
He smiled slowly, &she realized he knew it, the big jerk.”
He’s a jerk4 knowin sumthin, or does the fault lie w/u 4 lettin it show? &how does he know wut she’s thinkin? Can he read minds? Did he c desire in her eyes? Did she lean closer? Or is the author makin things up w/no explanation cuz it’s convenient 2do so?
&do u rmbr he’s a suspect in the case 4ur friend’s murder? U might want 2get control of ur libido &show u can do1 other thing than stare at this guy. &of course he kisses her bcuz this is a good time 4them 2kiss. Suspecting sum1 of murdering ur friend is a big turnon 4a girl, as is bein stalked by a woman 2a man.
They hear a woman moan which interrupts their moment&they go 2her &c she’s bleeding. He tells Lena 2check in case the attacker is around, she knows it maks sense but feels he’s tryin 2get rid of her. She says “Ok. I’ll b right back.” He sed “I nvr expected otherwise” &she hears a smile in his voice. It was nice that he knew her character &was amused by it. The flash of light that comes from healin was interesting 2me &a new concept I haven’t read b4. Another moment I liked was wen Lena takes the woman’s hands 2c wut happened &feels wut the woman felt. Sandor comes bak&has 2break her awy. Wen he cups her face she gets feelins of Coop’s murderer &the glee he felt killin him, horrified as she looks at Sandor. He did a “down-&-dirty invasion” of her mind, changin her memories, another handy talent way 2common in PR novels.
Sandor studies her while the cops r there, cuz it’s a good time2 admire a woman as the cops r suspicious of ur involvement in a woman’s injury &he likes wut he sees. She’s athletic—does that mean she’s got muscles or that she’s wearing athletic clothing?—&he’s drawn 2her intelligence &“the obvious power of her mind.” Oh boy. Here we go agin, next thing shell b sayin she can compartmentalize things in her brain like Feehan’s women. It’s so hot 2admire the power of her mind! How does he know she’s intelligent?
“If she wasn’t convinced that he&his friends were coverin up wut they knew about Coop’s death, she’d b sorely tempted2 drag him bak 2her hotel 2c if he looked as good out of his clothes as he did in them.”
Good 2know u’d sleep w/a total stranger.
She calls him buster. Yep, def a Christine Feehan knockoff. Idk y authors think it’s cute 4 modern heroines 2call a man of an ancient race lame words like buster. Who even uses that word, esp if ur rly upset w/sum1? Isn’t there a more mature, appropriate word 2use?
Sandor can also unlock doors w/“a carefully controlled energy impulse.” Another handy talent. Can he also dissolve into mist and slip thru the door?
He uses a small burst of energy—not clear how that works—2remove the haze he put on her memories&she passes out, which was weird 2me. I did like wen Ranulf &Kerry came &R gives K energy &his hands flare.
He falls asleep &is there the next morning. He kisses her 2remind her of their 1st. I’m fine w/ this kiss, liked that he wanted her 2rmbr the kiss btwn them. But Lena is like “drat the man—he cud have at least finished what he’d started!” Did u rly want to sleep with him this soon?
Sandor hates the part of himself that felt pleasure at sucking the life force out of Bradon, the Kyth who’d killed Cooper, and making him suffer as much as possible. Lena had picked up on it when he’d touched her but he hid that memory from her.
I liked when he’s waiting for her at the restaurant and had to jerk his eyes up from her legs to her eyes, and he said “I’ve missed you” and then thought damn, he hadn’t meant to let that slip out. They’re out on their date, and it’s so standard. “Didn’t the man realize how many women gave him 2nd and even 3rd looks? He gave no sign of it.” Not once does someone actually look at him, the author only has Lena say it without actually ever having any woman look at him. I liked the line: “I know it’s way too soon to be thinking this way, Lena, but I don’t want to take u back to your hotel. I want u to come home with me.” He takes her home and she admires his house, says it’s lovely. He says so are u and she searches his face. “What was she looking for? Unable to bear the thought she might not find it, he distracted her with a slow, hot kiss.” I liked that he was unsure of himself, that’s refreshing. And he’s flattered by how pleased she looks at the idea, when she looks at his erection and says “I hope all of that’s for me.” Lena says “then come take me, lover” which sounded rly stupid, and says they’ve waited too long for this already. Not really. He says he doesn’t want to hurt her by rushing and that was nice of him to think of her.
There were some interesting elements, like that his eyes cud glow, which Idk any details about, and I liked that when she woke up the next morning she touched his tattoo on his bicep, of Thor’s hammer. She ends up seeing Sandor killing Bradon. He puts her in the tub and gets in behind her, tries not to let it hurt so much that she moves to the other end, and his chest hurts and he’s unable to draw a full breath as she gets out and says what are you, I saw what u did. “If he lived to be a million years old, he’d never forget the pure loathing in her eyes.” Finally someone with feelings.
They argue &then he kisses her and they’re ripping each other’s clothes off &I hate when ppl make a point by jumping each other. It’s not a good time 2 kiss wen they’re mad. It’s like punishment &Idl it. They have sex on the counter, &this isn’t a hot novel bcuz there’s no details. He uses his tongue but it lasts like 2 seconds &she brushes over it. Ranulf &Kerry come barging in &Lena leaves out the back. Sandor’s shoulders slump in defeat &he’s starting to come off as not manly. He thinks I’m dying inside when Kerry asks if he’s ok. That’s so dramatic &he sounds like a woman.
Finally some information about them. Ranulf carries some of his power in the Thor’s hammer around his neck, a connection to the Dame, and Judith, the last Dame, gave her power to them in those talismans and connects the Talions to her thru a branding.
Kerry goes 2the hotel &it wasn’t until pg. 192 that we finally get their history. A subspecies of humans evolved in northern Europe & Scandinavia with the ability to absorb energy to survive in harsh climates where food was scarce. The Talions are the strongest of the Kyth, the defenders of their people. It’s a matriarchal society ruled by the Grand Dame. Lena finds it hard to believe Ranalf is over a thousand years old. She wants Sandor there to make sense of it even tho he’s mad at her, warmed that he chooses her over his own people. Idt she deserves it.
She thinks they’re cold-blooded murderers bcuz they killed Coop’s killer &hey should’ve left it to the law. Kerry had called her on getting off her high horse and cutting Sandor some slack—thank u for that—but Lena made a comment about decking royalty if Kerry messed with her mind. Nice girl.
I did like that Sandor was so protective of her &came straight over cuz he knew wut his ppl might do to Lena. &this from Kerry: “Unless she’d missed her guess, those were Sandor’s sweats that Lena was wearing. The question was y? For convenience, or for the connection to him? She’d know more about the strength of their chemistry when she saw them together. Which, knowing Sandor, shud b vry soon.”
He said she’s holier-than-thou which is so true, I’m glad he actually got mad at her. If there’s a race of ppl that can suck energy, they’re the only 1s that can kill each other and she’s an idiot for thinking cops can handle that. He said Bradon wudve killed more ppl if he was put in jail, where he cud feed on the fear &pain. I don’t like Lena, she’s too outspoken &rude &bold. They end up having sex after that, cuz now is a good time. She even sed having sex angry isn’t smart &it’s no way to solve an argument.
I rly liked wen he realized she wasn’t touching his tattoo &he puts her hand over it and says he can protect her from that, now that he nos she’s sensitive to it. He’s sorry it happened and the darkness is his burden to carry, she shouldn’t have to share it. I expect her to say he shudnt have to carry it alone, she’ll share it with him, bcuz u know, any nice, caring person wud say that. But no, she says “we all have darkness that haunts us, urs may b worse than most, but she has a few nightmares of her own. It’s not a contest, it’s not about u. Wut woman wudnt comfort him? He offers to ease those burdens and she touches his erection &says u want to trade bad memories now? He says no &she says I knew u were smarter than that, which I didn’t like and “rewards his brilliance with a kiss.”
I can’t stand wen the woman is mad at the man but still sleeps w/him. It’s using him 4his body.
Sandor grills dinner 4them all &Lena, ever the b***, brings up y Kerry lets them break the law. Kerry says she must’ve had a few convos w/Sandor &Lena taks time 2fold her napkin like she’s havin 2hold herself bak. Who duz she think she is, goin up aginst these ppl? Kerry sed she had Kyth in her genes.
“That did it. “Like hell I’m 1of u! 4 1 thing, I’m a law-abiding citizen, unlike sum I cud mention.”
He says cum on, cut us sum slak &she sed cut u sum slak, u haven’t seen me calling the police, hav u? It was time to put sum distance btwn herself &this bunch of crazies.”
I know in PRs the heroine has 2cum 2terms w/ it, that period of not believing, but that’s ovr. She nos their abilities, it’s nearing the end, she needs to believe &quit bein a bitch. Duz the author rly think we agree w/her, bcuz I hate her. She argues w/Sandor, who tells her 2 get in the car. “Oh, &I so luv takin orders from autocratic jerks!” He says “&I so luv dealing with shortsighted, judgmental brats!” A neighbor watches &she shoots them a nasty look &says wut r u lookin at? Sandor looks disgusted, says real nice, Lena. Do u mak it a habit of bein rude 2 ppl? Thanks for standing up 2her!
“That hurt. So wut if she struck out wen she felt cornered &scared?”
Aw, u felt scared? Is that y u called them crazy, bcuz u were scared? Ur not scared, ur a bitch. &we feel sry 4 u. Not. Ur not worthy of him.
She says he bullied her into the car 2go hunting like she’d promised, um no, he didn’t, then wen she asks wut he’s thinkin he says u don’t want 2no wut I’m thinkin. “That snarky attitude was bak in full force.” He isn’t the 1 w/the snarky attitude, u r. He let her be on top, &she thinks such a prince. It’s like sarcastic and I don’t like it.
How do their victims end up dead if they just steal emotions? Lena annoyingly &stupidly follows Sandor as he’s hunting 4the renegades, just getting n the way. Sean grabs her &puts a knife 2her throat. She does manage 2hit Sean &dodge out of the way wen Sandor motions 4her 2, but Sean throws a knife in2 her arm. They spare the lives of the 3 Kyth, Sandor &Lena luv each other. They hav sx, he says she’ll hav his undivided attention &she says smart man. Stop calling him smart, that’s so patronizing. Why don’t you just pat him on the head for doing what u want him to? I hate when a woman wears the pants. Then the book ends with Grey, the new Chief Talion. I hate when authors end off a couple's book with another character, esp one we don't like or really know.
Duster references, there were way too many:
Pg. 25 “But that didn’t mean she didn’t enjoy a bit of eye candy, and Lord, she loved the look of a man in a duster.”
Pg. 33 “..the door to the restaurant swung open and her mystery man walked out, stopping to put on his black leather duster.”
Pg. 99 “She nodded toward the duster tossed on a chair. “There’s not a woman alive who wouldn’t walk a few extra blocks to watch a man wearing one of those. Even you.”
He couldn’t help it; he laughed. “Thank you. I think.”
She glared at him. “Don’t let it go to your head. It’s the coat drawing the attention, not you.”
Pg. 100 ..”Okay, so u like leather dusters..”
Pg. 133 “Sandor wore the duster because Lena had asked him to. The supple leather billowed and swirled around his legs as he strode down the sidewalk. He’d originally bought it because it hid his weapons, but if he’d known it would put that look in an attractive woman’s eyes, he’d have bought one much sooner.”
Pg. 135 “I do like that coat.”
Pg. 146 “This coat and that car definitely do not go together.”
“Which image do you prefer?” he asked, although his smug smile warned her he already knew the answer.
“Definitely the duster.
The instant attraction rly annoyed. They c each other as she walks out of the room at Kerry’s &he’s there. The next day she parks down the block 2spy bcuz she knows they know mor about her friend’s death than they let on. She thinks Sandor is the killer bcuz she can c wut’s happened at a place, &she saw the build of the killer. Just because he was at Kerry’s house and Kerry was a witness, &she knows they know more than they’re saying, doesn’t mean he’s a murderer or that she has to follow him around. It was pretty flimsy.
She says “hot damn,” likin the eye candy &lovin a man in a duster, the way he moves. I can’t fathom the absurdity of admiring sum1 u suspect—wrongly, but still—of murdering ur friend. &Sandor who is at a restaurant is thinkin how 2draw out the Kyth. He tries 2think of sumthin happier &whose image comes 2mind than the stranger he only saw 4a sec? He’s interested in the color of her eyes, despite that he knows she’s goin 2b a prob.
Idk y authors do instant attraction, make the characters so attracted 2each other they’re thinkin about each other at times it duznt mak any sense2, like it’s a betrayal if they don’t think of each other since the sec they met. He’s alredy wantin2 tell her the truth that a renegade killed Coop &they’re not human. Way 2rush things. I found it odd Sandor referred 2Cooper as “Coop.” Did Sandor no him? Was he an acquaintance? It doesn’t mak sense 4Sandor 2call him that. Lena& Sandor hav the same personality &speech.
She follows him &as he comes out of the restaurant she’s sayin hot damn again. I hate wen authors use the same expressions 2close 2gether, or2 often, esp wen they’re not good 1s.
“Hot damn, sum1 that good-looking shud come w/a warning label. Did he even realize how many women stopped 2stare at him? Evidently not, bcuz he looked totally unaware of all the attention.”
It’s tryin 2hard &forcin it, it duznt mean anything. I can’t get a read on her personality. It duznt seem in character 4her 2b sayin hot damn. &it’s simple writing w/no depth.
“She wished she at least knew his name. A woman shud know that much about the man she’d b featuring in her dreams.”
R u serious? Ur followin him 4a murder, the murder of ur BF. U suspect this guy of killin, even sed his good looks dint earn him any bonus points bcuz she’d seen 2many criminals use their good looks as tools of their trade. Y the heck do authors do this? Just slow the freak down. It’s not goin2 kill readers if they don’t pant after each other every sec. B4 we even know anything about the characters we know they want each other.
Enter Sean,Kerry &Kenny, whose behavior is bein held from us, not sure y. Waitin 4no reason2 divulge info is not a plot device. They need 2feed& touch ppl…
Sandor spars w/Ranulf, the Viking married 2Kerry. “The man had ben a legend among their kind 4much of his long life; the grim, implacable arbiter of justice, a killer w/no conscience.”
This smacks of a certain Dark Series. Seems I’ve stumbled upon yet another Christine Feehan knockoff. I can’t get awy from that series even tho I’ve long since quit readin it. Ranulf sounds a lot like Gregori. Just say he was judge, jury& executioner &u’ve got a Carpathian hunter. &the “renegades?” Srsly, it’s like shewent in&put in synonyms 4 Feehan’s creation. Rogue vampires changes 2renegade Kyth. Gregori was sumthin of justice &Ranulf’s the arbiter of justice.
“He needed a shower, he needed his bed,&he needed 2get a certain blonde out of his mind.”
Y was he thinkin of her? Bcuz he talked 2her? Bcuz he saw her today? No. It’s none of those things bcuz they only saw each other4 2 freaking secs in passing so ytf is he even thinkin of her? STOP HAVIN THEM THINK OF EACH OTHER ALL THE TIME.
Sandor uses the phrase hot damn2. This is the mark of obscure, shallow writing where the author gives the same personality 2all the characters. It duznt mak sense 4Sandor, who is centuries old--Idk how many bcuz the author hasn’t deemed it important 2let us know how old her characters r—2b usin this modern phrase. &it seemed vry modern 4 Ranulf, Kerry &Sandor 2watch a baseball game. Wonder y sum1 who is ovr? 10 centuries old wud care about a game.
&he can’t go 1 sec w/o thinkin of her. He types Lena’s name in&searches 4her. That must hav ben some meeting. Watchin a woman walk out of a room must rly hook u in.
“Considering the strength of her visceral reaction 2him, she had 2work extra hard 2bank the heat he stirred in her. That was the last thing she needed—or wanted. Rly.”
Wut reaction? I got no reaction just from her lookin at him. I HATE instant lust.
He feels he’s bein watched, pretends 2tie his shoe, looks &sees it’s Lena.
“He cudn’t wait 2get his hands on her&find out y she was trackin him. Well, that& bcuz he’d ben wantin 2get his hands on her since he’d laid eyes on her. Considerin that long-legged stride of hers &pretty sun-bright hair, how had he missed pickin her out of the crowd b4 now? Thanks 2the combined rush of adrenaline &testosterone, he had some serious regrets that this was all about business ¬ pleasure.
Tho a guy cud always hope.”
U c sum1 4 2 secs w/blond hair, blue eyes &long legs &u just want ur hands on them immediately? Was there anything else about her or do u just want a woman based on those 3 lone attributes?
Then the dumb woman syndrome strikes again after he pounces on her.
“She shud’ve fought him off, but her only coherent thought was wonderin how a man his size cud move so fast&so silently.”
Great, a dumb woman that has the absolute wrong reaction &is 2caught up admiring his strength &grace 2hav the proper one.
I din’t expect her tailin him 2b ended so soon. After only a few times of her followin him he sees it’s her, then grabs her. The back of the bk led me 2 beleve Lena was huntin him 2kill him, not merely starin at him from a parked car down from Kerry’s house &followin him just 2c where he’s goin. She didn’t learn anything about him, she dint confirm or deny he was the killer, she dint touch anything 2c flashbacks of him. All she did was c that he wore a jacket—the famous duster. I got so sick of hearin about that duster. It was kind of cute wen she sed she followed him bcuz of the way he looks in the jacket &he blushes.
“Altho it wud b a long time b4 she cud 4get the rich smell of his aftershave, combined w/the scent of his leather coat. A powerful urge 2bury her face aginst his chest &simply breathe him in washed ovr her.
He smiled slowly, &she realized he knew it, the big jerk.”
He’s a jerk4 knowin sumthin, or does the fault lie w/u 4 lettin it show? &how does he know wut she’s thinkin? Can he read minds? Did he c desire in her eyes? Did she lean closer? Or is the author makin things up w/no explanation cuz it’s convenient 2do so?
&do u rmbr he’s a suspect in the case 4ur friend’s murder? U might want 2get control of ur libido &show u can do1 other thing than stare at this guy. &of course he kisses her bcuz this is a good time 4them 2kiss. Suspecting sum1 of murdering ur friend is a big turnon 4a girl, as is bein stalked by a woman 2a man.
They hear a woman moan which interrupts their moment&they go 2her &c she’s bleeding. He tells Lena 2check in case the attacker is around, she knows it maks sense but feels he’s tryin 2get rid of her. She says “Ok. I’ll b right back.” He sed “I nvr expected otherwise” &she hears a smile in his voice. It was nice that he knew her character &was amused by it. The flash of light that comes from healin was interesting 2me &a new concept I haven’t read b4. Another moment I liked was wen Lena takes the woman’s hands 2c wut happened &feels wut the woman felt. Sandor comes bak&has 2break her awy. Wen he cups her face she gets feelins of Coop’s murderer &the glee he felt killin him, horrified as she looks at Sandor. He did a “down-&-dirty invasion” of her mind, changin her memories, another handy talent way 2common in PR novels.
Sandor studies her while the cops r there, cuz it’s a good time2 admire a woman as the cops r suspicious of ur involvement in a woman’s injury &he likes wut he sees. She’s athletic—does that mean she’s got muscles or that she’s wearing athletic clothing?—&he’s drawn 2her intelligence &“the obvious power of her mind.” Oh boy. Here we go agin, next thing shell b sayin she can compartmentalize things in her brain like Feehan’s women. It’s so hot 2admire the power of her mind! How does he know she’s intelligent?
“If she wasn’t convinced that he&his friends were coverin up wut they knew about Coop’s death, she’d b sorely tempted2 drag him bak 2her hotel 2c if he looked as good out of his clothes as he did in them.”
Good 2know u’d sleep w/a total stranger.
She calls him buster. Yep, def a Christine Feehan knockoff. Idk y authors think it’s cute 4 modern heroines 2call a man of an ancient race lame words like buster. Who even uses that word, esp if ur rly upset w/sum1? Isn’t there a more mature, appropriate word 2use?
Sandor can also unlock doors w/“a carefully controlled energy impulse.” Another handy talent. Can he also dissolve into mist and slip thru the door?
He uses a small burst of energy—not clear how that works—2remove the haze he put on her memories&she passes out, which was weird 2me. I did like wen Ranulf &Kerry came &R gives K energy &his hands flare.
He falls asleep &is there the next morning. He kisses her 2remind her of their 1st. I’m fine w/ this kiss, liked that he wanted her 2rmbr the kiss btwn them. But Lena is like “drat the man—he cud have at least finished what he’d started!” Did u rly want to sleep with him this soon?
Sandor hates the part of himself that felt pleasure at sucking the life force out of Bradon, the Kyth who’d killed Cooper, and making him suffer as much as possible. Lena had picked up on it when he’d touched her but he hid that memory from her.
I liked when he’s waiting for her at the restaurant and had to jerk his eyes up from her legs to her eyes, and he said “I’ve missed you” and then thought damn, he hadn’t meant to let that slip out. They’re out on their date, and it’s so standard. “Didn’t the man realize how many women gave him 2nd and even 3rd looks? He gave no sign of it.” Not once does someone actually look at him, the author only has Lena say it without actually ever having any woman look at him. I liked the line: “I know it’s way too soon to be thinking this way, Lena, but I don’t want to take u back to your hotel. I want u to come home with me.” He takes her home and she admires his house, says it’s lovely. He says so are u and she searches his face. “What was she looking for? Unable to bear the thought she might not find it, he distracted her with a slow, hot kiss.” I liked that he was unsure of himself, that’s refreshing. And he’s flattered by how pleased she looks at the idea, when she looks at his erection and says “I hope all of that’s for me.” Lena says “then come take me, lover” which sounded rly stupid, and says they’ve waited too long for this already. Not really. He says he doesn’t want to hurt her by rushing and that was nice of him to think of her.
There were some interesting elements, like that his eyes cud glow, which Idk any details about, and I liked that when she woke up the next morning she touched his tattoo on his bicep, of Thor’s hammer. She ends up seeing Sandor killing Bradon. He puts her in the tub and gets in behind her, tries not to let it hurt so much that she moves to the other end, and his chest hurts and he’s unable to draw a full breath as she gets out and says what are you, I saw what u did. “If he lived to be a million years old, he’d never forget the pure loathing in her eyes.” Finally someone with feelings.
They argue &then he kisses her and they’re ripping each other’s clothes off &I hate when ppl make a point by jumping each other. It’s not a good time 2 kiss wen they’re mad. It’s like punishment &Idl it. They have sex on the counter, &this isn’t a hot novel bcuz there’s no details. He uses his tongue but it lasts like 2 seconds &she brushes over it. Ranulf &Kerry come barging in &Lena leaves out the back. Sandor’s shoulders slump in defeat &he’s starting to come off as not manly. He thinks I’m dying inside when Kerry asks if he’s ok. That’s so dramatic &he sounds like a woman.
Finally some information about them. Ranulf carries some of his power in the Thor’s hammer around his neck, a connection to the Dame, and Judith, the last Dame, gave her power to them in those talismans and connects the Talions to her thru a branding.
Kerry goes 2the hotel &it wasn’t until pg. 192 that we finally get their history. A subspecies of humans evolved in northern Europe & Scandinavia with the ability to absorb energy to survive in harsh climates where food was scarce. The Talions are the strongest of the Kyth, the defenders of their people. It’s a matriarchal society ruled by the Grand Dame. Lena finds it hard to believe Ranalf is over a thousand years old. She wants Sandor there to make sense of it even tho he’s mad at her, warmed that he chooses her over his own people. Idt she deserves it.
She thinks they’re cold-blooded murderers bcuz they killed Coop’s killer &hey should’ve left it to the law. Kerry had called her on getting off her high horse and cutting Sandor some slack—thank u for that—but Lena made a comment about decking royalty if Kerry messed with her mind. Nice girl.
I did like that Sandor was so protective of her &came straight over cuz he knew wut his ppl might do to Lena. &this from Kerry: “Unless she’d missed her guess, those were Sandor’s sweats that Lena was wearing. The question was y? For convenience, or for the connection to him? She’d know more about the strength of their chemistry when she saw them together. Which, knowing Sandor, shud b vry soon.”
He said she’s holier-than-thou which is so true, I’m glad he actually got mad at her. If there’s a race of ppl that can suck energy, they’re the only 1s that can kill each other and she’s an idiot for thinking cops can handle that. He said Bradon wudve killed more ppl if he was put in jail, where he cud feed on the fear &pain. I don’t like Lena, she’s too outspoken &rude &bold. They end up having sex after that, cuz now is a good time. She even sed having sex angry isn’t smart &it’s no way to solve an argument.
I rly liked wen he realized she wasn’t touching his tattoo &he puts her hand over it and says he can protect her from that, now that he nos she’s sensitive to it. He’s sorry it happened and the darkness is his burden to carry, she shouldn’t have to share it. I expect her to say he shudnt have to carry it alone, she’ll share it with him, bcuz u know, any nice, caring person wud say that. But no, she says “we all have darkness that haunts us, urs may b worse than most, but she has a few nightmares of her own. It’s not a contest, it’s not about u. Wut woman wudnt comfort him? He offers to ease those burdens and she touches his erection &says u want to trade bad memories now? He says no &she says I knew u were smarter than that, which I didn’t like and “rewards his brilliance with a kiss.”
I can’t stand wen the woman is mad at the man but still sleeps w/him. It’s using him 4his body.
Sandor grills dinner 4them all &Lena, ever the b***, brings up y Kerry lets them break the law. Kerry says she must’ve had a few convos w/Sandor &Lena taks time 2fold her napkin like she’s havin 2hold herself bak. Who duz she think she is, goin up aginst these ppl? Kerry sed she had Kyth in her genes.
“That did it. “Like hell I’m 1of u! 4 1 thing, I’m a law-abiding citizen, unlike sum I cud mention.”
He says cum on, cut us sum slak &she sed cut u sum slak, u haven’t seen me calling the police, hav u? It was time to put sum distance btwn herself &this bunch of crazies.”
I know in PRs the heroine has 2cum 2terms w/ it, that period of not believing, but that’s ovr. She nos their abilities, it’s nearing the end, she needs to believe &quit bein a bitch. Duz the author rly think we agree w/her, bcuz I hate her. She argues w/Sandor, who tells her 2 get in the car. “Oh, &I so luv takin orders from autocratic jerks!” He says “&I so luv dealing with shortsighted, judgmental brats!” A neighbor watches &she shoots them a nasty look &says wut r u lookin at? Sandor looks disgusted, says real nice, Lena. Do u mak it a habit of bein rude 2 ppl? Thanks for standing up 2her!
“That hurt. So wut if she struck out wen she felt cornered &scared?”
Aw, u felt scared? Is that y u called them crazy, bcuz u were scared? Ur not scared, ur a bitch. &we feel sry 4 u. Not. Ur not worthy of him.
She says he bullied her into the car 2go hunting like she’d promised, um no, he didn’t, then wen she asks wut he’s thinkin he says u don’t want 2no wut I’m thinkin. “That snarky attitude was bak in full force.” He isn’t the 1 w/the snarky attitude, u r. He let her be on top, &she thinks such a prince. It’s like sarcastic and I don’t like it.
How do their victims end up dead if they just steal emotions? Lena annoyingly &stupidly follows Sandor as he’s hunting 4the renegades, just getting n the way. Sean grabs her &puts a knife 2her throat. She does manage 2hit Sean &dodge out of the way wen Sandor motions 4her 2, but Sean throws a knife in2 her arm. They spare the lives of the 3 Kyth, Sandor &Lena luv each other. They hav sx, he says she’ll hav his undivided attention &she says smart man. Stop calling him smart, that’s so patronizing. Why don’t you just pat him on the head for doing what u want him to? I hate when a woman wears the pants. Then the book ends with Grey, the new Chief Talion. I hate when authors end off a couple's book with another character, esp one we don't like or really know.
Duster references, there were way too many:
Pg. 25 “But that didn’t mean she didn’t enjoy a bit of eye candy, and Lord, she loved the look of a man in a duster.”
Pg. 33 “..the door to the restaurant swung open and her mystery man walked out, stopping to put on his black leather duster.”
Pg. 99 “She nodded toward the duster tossed on a chair. “There’s not a woman alive who wouldn’t walk a few extra blocks to watch a man wearing one of those. Even you.”
He couldn’t help it; he laughed. “Thank you. I think.”
She glared at him. “Don’t let it go to your head. It’s the coat drawing the attention, not you.”
Pg. 100 ..”Okay, so u like leather dusters..”
Pg. 133 “Sandor wore the duster because Lena had asked him to. The supple leather billowed and swirled around his legs as he strode down the sidewalk. He’d originally bought it because it hid his weapons, but if he’d known it would put that look in an attractive woman’s eyes, he’d have bought one much sooner.”
Pg. 135 “I do like that coat.”
Pg. 146 “This coat and that car definitely do not go together.”
“Which image do you prefer?” he asked, although his smug smile warned her he already knew the answer.
“Definitely the duster.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2024
The dialogue isn't great.
May 22, 2012
The second book of the Talions series explains the work that Kerry, the Grand Dame, must endure to try to take the Talions into modern times. With the previous Dame Judith, Kyth law was eye for an eye ... no exceptions.
The book introduces a trio of orphans who have no idea that they are Kyth or why they need energy. Since they are from the streets, they are poor, and have no idea how to gain energy other than mugging other people. But as they begin a mugging rampage across Seattle, one of them, Sean, slowly starts to loose control and escalates the mugging to assault even leaving the victims bleeding which draws the attention of the Chief Talion, Sandor.
With the help of Lena Wilson, a human, who wants to find justice for the murder of the Fire Investigator Cooper from the first book ... they search and locate the trio of orphans. It's Lena who convinces Sandor that Kyth Law should not be the end all, be all. That there are circumstances where a second chance is preferable to a death sentence.
Much to Kerry's relief in having the execution thwarted, there is also a new player Greyhill Danby, who is here to report the newly appointed Grand Dame back to someone in Europe. Kerry appoints as the new Chief Talion in hope of keeping him on a short leash and trying to figure out his ulterior motives for coming to Seattle. But it seems that the decision to demote Sandor, does not phase him since he seems to be more content on being the ambassador to the Grand Dame and help train the trio of orphans who have been given a second chance.
I did enjoy the story line of this second book, but I would have liked to have seen Lena accepting being part Kyth, even a small part, and trying to understanding their Kyth ways rather than just arguing the point so much through out the book. Granted, because of her tenacity it did save the trio of orphans from instant execution vie Kyth Law.
P.S. I did enjoy the author's reference to the "Angel" and "Buffy" series. Lol.
That's my two cents.
The book introduces a trio of orphans who have no idea that they are Kyth or why they need energy. Since they are from the streets, they are poor, and have no idea how to gain energy other than mugging other people. But as they begin a mugging rampage across Seattle, one of them, Sean, slowly starts to loose control and escalates the mugging to assault even leaving the victims bleeding which draws the attention of the Chief Talion, Sandor.
With the help of Lena Wilson, a human, who wants to find justice for the murder of the Fire Investigator Cooper from the first book ... they search and locate the trio of orphans. It's Lena who convinces Sandor that Kyth Law should not be the end all, be all. That there are circumstances where a second chance is preferable to a death sentence.
Much to Kerry's relief in having the execution thwarted, there is also a new player Greyhill Danby, who is here to report the newly appointed Grand Dame back to someone in Europe. Kerry appoints as the new Chief Talion in hope of keeping him on a short leash and trying to figure out his ulterior motives for coming to Seattle. But it seems that the decision to demote Sandor, does not phase him since he seems to be more content on being the ambassador to the Grand Dame and help train the trio of orphans who have been given a second chance.
I did enjoy the story line of this second book, but I would have liked to have seen Lena accepting being part Kyth, even a small part, and trying to understanding their Kyth ways rather than just arguing the point so much through out the book. Granted, because of her tenacity it did save the trio of orphans from instant execution vie Kyth Law.
P.S. I did enjoy the author's reference to the "Angel" and "Buffy" series. Lol.
That's my two cents.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 10, 2014
Being followed by a human female isn't what Sandor had in mind when he left the house the other day. She is persistent and get under his skin somehow. He is the keeper of the law but can't get his work done with some human getting in his way and finding out he isn't exactly who he seems to be. Will he chance her finding out or will they all have to put a stop to her investigating by any means necessary?
How far would you go to seek justice? Will Lena risk the lives of many for the wronged of one when she finds the answers she so desperately seeks? Or will she take a look at the other side of things and maybe risk it all, including your heart? What happens when the laws of one collide with the beliefs of another?
Great read, highly recommended. One author you just cant get enough of.
How far would you go to seek justice? Will Lena risk the lives of many for the wronged of one when she finds the answers she so desperately seeks? Or will she take a look at the other side of things and maybe risk it all, including your heart? What happens when the laws of one collide with the beliefs of another?
Great read, highly recommended. One author you just cant get enough of.
July 29, 2012
Lena Wilson can occasionally see what went on in a crime scene, this can help her job investigating arson. When she sees what happened in the fire that killed her mentor she's confused by what she's seeing, during the fire she sees a murder.
Then she meets Sandor Kearn, he was involved in the murder but she's attracted to him. Can she reconcile her feelings for him and her urge to keep with the law. Also he's talking about long-living people and a type of psychic vampirism, can she belive him? Can she afford not to?
It's fun, pretty predictable in parts but interesting and I did like the characters and how they interacted.
Then she meets Sandor Kearn, he was involved in the murder but she's attracted to him. Can she reconcile her feelings for him and her urge to keep with the law. Also he's talking about long-living people and a type of psychic vampirism, can she belive him? Can she afford not to?
It's fun, pretty predictable in parts but interesting and I did like the characters and how they interacted.
May 12, 2012
A wonderful story! Sander Kearn is now the enforcer for the Kyth. His current assignment is to find a gang of rogue Kyth who are attacking and robbing human leaving them dazed. Lena, a human with the ability to “see” crime scenes, comes to Seattle to find the person responsible for the death of her friend Maynard Cooper. In the course of her investigation she meets Sander and discovers he knows who killed Cooper; she also has big lust for him. Grand Dame Kerry tells Lena about the Kyth and she agrees to keep the knowledge to herself. Lena and Sander join forces to locate the renegades.
I enjoyed this book as much as I did the first book in the series!
I enjoyed this book as much as I did the first book in the series!
January 3, 2015
Didn't like this quite as much as the first. I did like the secondary story of the kids and you kind of know what is going to happen there but it made the story have a very different feeling than the first, not as dark. Which was actually a little better vibe but still the overall romance/story was not quite as good as the first. Still I liked it and thought it a good, fast read.
Read
August 9, 2009The continuation of the Talion enforcers. Sandor is an enforcer who polices the Kyth. Lena is part Kyth but does not realise it. She has the ability to see flashbacks to crimes. The chemistry between the main characters seemed to be lacking. I found myself skimming to finish the book.
September 29, 2009
Its more like 3.5 stars Lara was really working me with the high and mighty attitude. The good thing is that they got Grey in right in the end as the new Chief Talion, I will have to remember how he came in the picture NEXT YEAR when the book comes out.
July 14, 2010
I thought this was a good read but it was just a little slow getting started. I liked Sandor's character and the story-line...your normal romance plot. It just wasn't a book where I'm eager to start reading again every chance I get.
April 24, 2012
Lena was a little annoying because she still saw what the Talions were and the power they had. When they went to face a renegade she couldn't understand that she would be useless against them. I still enjoyed the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2010
It wasn't a bad story, just not as good as the Paladins stories. It was enjoyable. Not alot of action, sex scenes were pretty good.
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