Wilks, Eileen- Blood Lines (World of the Lupi #3); Informal Buddy Read: Starts November 24, 2014

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

This topic is open for discussion of Blood Lines by Eileen Wilks.





Book Synopsis:
Touch-sensitive FBI agent Lily Yu and her werewolf bond-mate are recruited by the Secret Service to help identify elected officials who have accepted demonic pacts. But Lily must turn to fellow agent Cynna Weaver for help when Cynna's former teacher, a demon master, emerges as the main suspect behind the pacts.

After a demon commits a gruesome murder, sorcerer Cullen Seabourne joins the team racing the clock to find the apprentice of evil who uses demons to kill. Cynna and Cullen must work together- a challenge indeed when each has good reason to ignore the desire simmering between them. But passion and events both spiral out of control as an ancient prophecy is fulfilled- and the lupi's greatest enemy sets her sights on total devastation.

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

Reserved

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

Wonderful! Thanks! Looking forward to reading this one!

[✿~Danielle~✿]

Hopefully

[✿~Danielle~✿]

I must say, I love that cover.

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

✼Danielle✼ wrote: "I must say, I love that cover."

Me, too! Gorgeous!

I've schedule two books for tomorrow so I won't blaze through this one like I did the last one.

...thinking...


...thinking...


...thinking...


...Unless it really, really hooks me...which it might...

[Katie]

(view spoiler)[I've just started the first chapter. I don't like it when authors focus on multiple couples for a book. Like JR Ward's BDB where most of the books focus on ALL of the MCs thus leaving no time for the couple the book is supposed to be about. I hope that this starts to focus on Cullen and Cynna soon rather than have it jump back and forth from them to Rule and Lily, too.

That being said, wow! A lot of action right from the top of the book. (hide spoiler)]

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

I agree with your spoiler, Katie. I'm hoping the relationship doesn't end up being rushed. The author tends to surprise me though. She sets things up so carefully in her previous books and then whammo...things are going ninety to nothing while I enjoy the ride. I'm hoping she does it again.

Chapter 1-10: (view spoiler)[I'm feeling a little scattered with the story line. The characters are still spread out and the author hasn't really shown me who/what the big bad enemy is supposed to be. She hasn't let me down yet, though. I'm enjoying the story, but I expected more Cynna and Cullen by this point. And what in the world is going on with Rule? He was a mess before the demon attack and now I think the infection is messing with his head. (hide spoiler)]

[Katie]

(view spoiler)[Yes! Why is everyone still around??? I feel like if the focus is going to be taken off of Lily and Rule, then let's get it all the way off and just focus on Cullen and Cynna. I like Cullen a lot and was totally ok with him getting his own book, but this isn't really his book. At least not yet.

Rule IS a mess. I wish a bit more was going into that, but as you said, Becky, she's brought it around in the previous two books and I'm expecting the same here. I just hope it starts pulling together soon! (hide spoiler)]

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

Chapter 17...(view spoiler)[I cracked up with Grandmother showed up in D.C. She brings such a refreshing feel to the story. LOVE Toby and I'm wondering if Cullen is right about his abilities? Patterning sounds like a neat Gift to have...if he's right about it. I'm running behind today and starting on Chapter 22. We're finally getting some chemistry between Cullen and Cynna, but they have a long way to go.

The author is spending a lot of time explaining things without giving us answers. The whole meeting in the conference room has me a little confused. So is it the poison that's affecting Rule's memory? Cullen's memory was tampered with, too. Funny how they were talking on the phone and now Rule doesn't remember. Ack! I feel bounced around! I want answers! (hide spoiler)]

[Katie]

I'm terrible at keeping track of which chapter I'm on...

(view spoiler)[I agree Becky! Grandmother showing up in DC is awesome.

Cullen's memory loss is explained in detail in a short story I read. It was Originally Human. It's interesting that I'm reading about it now, too, and that Cullen has noticed it. (hide spoiler)]

[Katie]

(view spoiler)[You know, I'm all for a woman being independent and strong, but it bugs the crap out of me when a woman is stubborn for the sake of being independent. For instance...if you get your head bashed in I see no reason to be a PITA about being carried out of a house. I mean, really? I'm cool with you needing to leave and check on an injured colleague even though you're injured yourself, but complaining about being carried and told to rest is annoying. So far Cynna hasn't been nearly as awesome as I was hoping she would be.

I feel like a lot of the characters are acting strangely and sadly in this case strangely = annoying. I'm hoping that we soon find out that these magic waves are messing with everybody and these characters aren't acting like themselves for a reason.

At the end of the day what I'm really looking for are explanations. I mean, I'm halfway done with the book and I have no idea what's going on. (hide spoiler)]

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

Totally agree with you about Cynna. This whole story has me baffled. I'm finished and here's my thoughts: (view spoiler)[Things are rushed and disjointed. The only character who really feels "in true form" is Grandmother. We know the poison is affecting Rule, but everyone else seems to be responding badly to the stress, or maybe it is the magic waves. I also think the author should've culled a few plot bunnies and streamlined the story. Way to many new faces and several "twists" that became laborious. I "think" she's setting up for things to come, but it's way too much to keep track of in my head. I'm literally exhausted.

I think I understand that Jiri used her gift of "patterning" and infected Rule with the demon poison, knowing he would need it to kill Cordoba. Still not clear on why Cordoba was after Lily's gift, unless it was to find the Codex. I may have to re-read chapter 37-forward. Again, waaaay too much going on here.

The author sure took the long way around to teach Rule a lesson about not staying in touch with his wolf. I assume that's why he felt such grief over amnesiac Lily and struggled to understand that he hadn't really lost her.

Cullen and Cynna were a big disappointment. I wanted romance! I wanted passion! I wanted them to heal each others wounds! Cynna's walls are quickly turning me off. I still have hope for them in the next book, but adding a baby to the mix before love even has a chance to bloom? I can imagine Cynna will be pissed off big time over that. I'm hoping the author can spin it without overloading my senses.

The best part of this book was Grandmother, learning a little about her history. Sam was quite a surprise! I had no idea! Was Grandmother once a dragon who gave up her immortality to bear children? Was the "curse" Lily mentioned something that happened before or after that? Grandmother needs a short story.
I may have to look at a few of the novellas and see if that fills in some of the other blanks as well. (hide spoiler)]

I'm curious to get your spin on things when you're finished.

[Katie]

Yeah, I'm definitely on board with your first spoiler. I'm saving your second one for when I finish with the book. :) I'm close!

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

Oh, goodie! I desperately need to talk about this one! LOL!

[Katie]

(view spoiler)[So, Cordoba needed Lily because once he wiped her mind he could transfer the codex arcanum to her once they found it. Or at least, that's what I sort of got from that whole jumble.

Cullen and Cynna were a HUGE disappointment. I thought this was supposed to be their book, but no. They have sex, she gets pregnant, but there's not really any relationship to speak of other than what's slapped in your face. I still don't really like Cynna either.

Yeah, I can't believe that the whole book was one big, SLOW story of Rule coming to an understanding with his wolf. I'm not really impressed with that.

I could go for a book about Li Lei. I want to know everything that's happened to her to make her what she is today. (hide spoiler)]

I think I'm up for continuing the series, but this book was definitely disappointing.

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

Ah....(view spoiler)[Thanks for explaining Cordoba. I think I was on information overload by the time I got to that and nothing was sticking.

I'm pretty indifferent to Cynna at this point. The way her gift works with the tats is interesting, but I don't "know" enough about her yet. She pushes everyone away to protect herself and blusters too much. I think she was written to be a "live in the moment" person, but it's coming across more that she's afraid to put down roots...commit...make connections to anyone. Maybe that will change in the next book, but I'm not holding my breath. A pregnancy will certainly rock her world, but Cullen deserves better. This could've been soooo awesome! ARGH! (hide spoiler)]

I REALLY want to know Sam's story! I'll keep reading the series, too, but I need a little time so I can: (view spoiler)[Get over my mad. LOL! (hide spoiler)]

[Michelle]

Hi ladies! I marked your BR points as "pending" on our spreadsheet with the hopes that someone from a different team will come and add to your discussion. Happy reading!

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

Thanks, Michelle! I think a couple of others from the Mortal Danger BR will make it over eventually.

[Katie]

Michelle wrote: "Hi ladies! I marked your BR points as "pending" on our spreadsheet with the hopes that someone from a different team will come and add to your discussion. Happy reading!"

Sounds good. :)

[✿~Danielle~✿]

I'm about to make a start now, have not had a chance before now.

[✿~Danielle~✿]

I like that Dear Reader letter, summed up what has happened so far pretty good.

[✿~Danielle~✿]

~~Upto chapter 4~~

(view spoiler)[So a bit of action to start. I thought this was Cullen & Cynna's book, so I'm surprised we've had more Lily so far. I'm wondering if there'll be a problem with Paul dying before reversing the submitting. (hide spoiler)]

[✿~Danielle~✿]

~~Upto chapter 10~~

@Becky...I agree with you on your spoiler for chapters 1-10 (view spoiler)[it's a bit all over the place and I too thought there would be more Cullen/Cynna. (hide spoiler)]

[✿~Danielle~✿]

~~Chapter 11-12~~

(view spoiler)[Finally Cullen has showed up and it sounds like he's about to make his way to Cynna.

Toby...resourceful young boy (hide spoiler)]

Have to leave it here for tonight, hoping to get back to it tomorrow.

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

Hi Danielle!

Nice to see you! I think Toby is wonderful, too, and (view spoiler)[there is tremendous potential for the future. I'm curious if he really is a "Patterner."

I agree that this book felt all over the place. It's like the plot bunnies got to breeding and the author got carried away. I'd rather she focused on Cynna and Cullen's story. It isn't her best work, but there are good things coming. (hide spoiler)]

In fact, Kim and I are starting Night Season this week. I don't have a link yet, but I should have one soon. I'll check in with you tomorrow and see how you're doing!

[Katie]

Toby is a really cute kid and a great addition to the books. I'm hoping to see more of him as we go through the series. :)

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

Hey, Everybody! The Buddy Read thread for Night Season, Book 4, is HERE. We start December 3rd!

[✿~Danielle~✿]

Loved the Grandmother just showing up and bossing everyone LOL

[✿~Danielle~✿]

I'm upto chapter 19 now and I wonder what's up with (view spoiler)[Rules's memory.

I'm not sure what was going on in that conference room.

Things get interesting with Cullen/Cynna and we flip to Rule/Lily, then things get interesting with Rule and we flip back to Cullen. (hide spoiler)]

[Katie]

✼Danielle✼ wrote: "Loved the Grandmother just showing up and bossing everyone LOL"

I know, right? She's such an interesting character.

Yeah, the flipping was just too much! I'm hoping for a more solid book in Night Season.

[✿~Danielle~✿]

I'm done, too much jumping around for the story to flow nicely in this one. I'm hoping for betting in Night Season.

(view spoiler)[the best part if this book was the grandmother. Very interested to know more about her history with Sam.

I did feel like Lily and Rule were more solid in this one, even with all the problems Rule had.

Hugely disappointed in the Cullen/Cynna relationship. There wasn't much progress there and now suddenly Cynna is pregnant. I find Cullen interesting and was looking forward to his book (which this one turned out not to be) but I'm not sure we know all that much about Cynna, she doesn't let anyone know her. (hide spoiler)]