Healer's Choice (Ghostland World, #3) in SOS: Serious Overload of Series

Jun 12, 2011 Kalynn rated it liked it

In Jory Strong’s “Healer’s Choice” the hero has to deal with a dual nature, human and jaguar. In many ways, the issue of a dual nature is one that applies to the book itself. On one hand, the novel is an interesting, if occasionally confusing, piece of post apocalyptic urban fantasy. On the other, it is a somewhat overwrought work of paranormal erotica of the “destined mate” variety. And the seams definitely show.

The third book in Strong's Ghostaland world series has more world building and mor In Jory Strong’s “Healer’s Choice” the hero has to deal with a dual nature, human and jaguar. In many ways, the issue of a dual nature is one that applies to the book itself. On one hand, the novel is an interesting, if occasionally confusing, piece of post apocalyptic urban fantasy. On the other, it is a somewhat overwrought work of paranormal erotica of the “destined mate” variety. And the seams definitely show.

The third book in Strong's Ghostaland world series has more world building and more emphasis on the Djinn/Angels story arc than the first two. The best part about this one is world building in Strong's dark and fascinating post apocalyptic California. In fact, the first third of the book has no romance. The hero and heroine don't even meet each other in this portion of the story. Instead, there is a lot of set up about killer viruses, the heroine Rebecca's healing gift and mysterious childhood, the Djinn/Angel war and Were politics.

The problem comes when the heroine and hero meet, and the second third becomes all "clenching channels" and shifter lust. This isn't a bad thing, in general, but it's a jarring departure from the beginning of the book. The hero, especially, comes out seeming less heroic since (view spoiler)he is not as well drawn as Rebecca.

In the final third of the book, the plots come together, but I didn't find that the combination worked well. It seemed like the author was throwing too much into a small space. Not only did all of the plot threads in this book need to be dealt with, but there were several sections to lay groundwork for future installments. As for the plot here, the resolution was not satisfying. (view spoiler).

For me, the awesome world building and series arc has me looking forward to the next book in this series, but the love story just didn't work here. I'd give it 3.5 stars as an urban fantasy and 2 stars as a Romance. ...more

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Sep 13, 2010 Daffodil rated it really liked it

Shelves: urban-fantasy

Jory Strong has created a complex world with a unique mythology. This third entry is an improvement over the first two and brings more of the Djinn plan into focus. If the books continue at this level, I will definitely keep reading.

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