Scorpion (Memory of Scorpions, #1) in Riptide Publishing

Sep 24, 2011 Heather C rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: cloud, dubcon-rape, m-m, ebook, military, series, historical

I finished this book yesterday and I'm still torn on how I feel about it. I mean, I liked it but I also didn't like it. My biggest problem was all the impersonal fucking. Not because it was rough and gritty, I actually liked that, but because there was so much of it with so many different people. It seemed to pull me out of the story and away from Kendras.

I did really like the dark and dirty world that has been created here. The author does an excellent job with imagery and I had no trouble pict ...more

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May 10, 2011 Alex rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: queer, romance, fantasy

Overall
With great characters, plot and a creative world, there is little to dislike about this book. While warriors, politics and hot sex might not be every one's cup of tea, this is definitely worth taking a risk on. The battles are short, the politics are intriguing (and not too heavy or convoluted), and the wide cast of characters is incredibly interesting. While not a light read, its dark elements are balanced by flashes of humor and a good love story.

Strengths
Characters. For me, characters Overall
With great characters, plot and a creative world, there is little to dislike about this book. While warriors, politics and hot sex might not be every one's cup of tea, this is definitely worth taking a risk on. The battles are short, the politics are intriguing (and not too heavy or convoluted), and the wide cast of characters is incredibly interesting. While not a light read, its dark elements are balanced by flashes of humor and a good love story.

Strengths
Characters. For me, characters make or break a story, and here they absolutely made a good story great. Kendras is a good characters, if not a bit stiff in his ideas, but Steel, Widow, the Flames (and the men of the Flames), along with the officers, and the Lady protector really wowed me. They are varied, not black and white. Nothing is simple--not their situations and not their relationships. I think Steel is the most heart-breaking because Kendras judges him so harshly and if an officer had gotten to him earlier, he may not have become the "soulless" man he is when Kendras meets him. Widow is terrifying and amazing and I love what he does in the story (although he can stay far away from me!). Also, the men of the Flame were a nice touch and I hope to see more of them in future stories.

World Building. Voinov takes us through a very creative world that's very dark for our narrator, but we still see glimpses of light that is a normal life. While constructing political parties and armies, he made the Flames and the Scorpions and the train of thought that goes with joining both those groups. It's a world I'd look forward to seeing more of and will let my mind play in secretly. His descriptions are dark and gritty with splashes of (important) color.

Plot. While the sex scenes start early and hot, the beginning of the plot is a slow build that ultimately climaxes in a truly satisfying way. Some of the events aren't easy to handle for both Kendras and for the reader, but surviving them makes the end all the more rewarding. Artistically, the plot was well constructed and interesting, keeping the reader's interest in what will happen next. Ultimately satisfying, in more ways than one.

Weaknesses
There was some slight lag time while the characters were waiting for something to happen that lost me a little. In retrospect it felt necessary and I'm glad it was there, but, for me at least, I struggled a little. Political intrigue/war novels aren't my normal diet though, so people familiar with them may not have any problems. I would still recommend this to people not interested in political intrigue/war novels. The battle scenes are kept short and succinct and while the politics is important, it's not boring and drawn out.

Be sure to check out my other reviews on my blog. ...more

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May 18, 2011 Tracy rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: m-m, favorites

I was really resentful of things that took me away from this book when I was reading--little things like food, sleep, children...The world that was built here feels like it could easily lend itself to many more stories; its history seems rich enough, certainly, as does its present. And there are several support characters and relationships I'd love to know more about (although I suppose the M/F ones are out of the question? *sigh*)

I will admit, I have a thing for a (well-done) Sekrit Baby, and I ...more

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Jul 06, 2011 Crys Harris rated it really liked it · review of another edition

4.5 stars.

The world building was effortless and excellent. I got a sense of the players and some of the culture, but it flowed naturally in the story in such a way that I just took Fetin and Dalman for granted. The pace of the story was brisk and I can't think of one time where I got impatient with what was happening.

The bests part of the book were the dialogue and the rich and well-rounded secondary characters. I enjoyed the fact that the romance was almost secondary to the main character's 'c ...more

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May 09, 2011 CAS rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

One of the BEST stories I've read this year!
If you've never had the pleasure of experiencing the writing of Aleksandr Voinov and find yourself trying to decide which of his many works to start with...This is without a doubt a VERY SOLID CHOICE>>> Scorpion is a very vivid, expertly crafted, many faceted jewel in an overflowing treasure chest of priceless gems.

This is an incredible piece of work. Not one misstep, not one thing I can think of that ever felt anything other than perfect. I was comp ...more

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May 11, 2011 Dee Wy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: m-m, m-m-fantasy, war-military

I really liked this. A good solid story of war, loyalty and love.

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Sep 01, 2012 Evaine rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, m-m

4.5 Stars. Aleksandr Voinov has a new fan in me. The authors whose work I love and whose recs I trust, recommended Mr. Voinov, so DSP was having a sale and I thought it the perfect time to check him out. I thought I was buying a contemporary spy/military, Navy Sealesque type book - BOY, was I surprised! (I only really scanned the blurb.) I guess the best way to describe Scorpion is that it's a military novel set in an alternate, fantasy world. But no elves or wizards here, not that type of fanta ...more

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May 29, 2011 Katie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: lent, alpha, alternate-world, soldiers-warriors

Good read! Dark fierce warriors who are loyal, fearsome and sexy. No, can't forget sexy! Story moves quickly with a nice balance between character and plot. Characters are unveiled slowly and unexpectedly as you read with good surprises as their many layers are revealed. ...more

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