This book was a really fun and cute story about a woman who after seeing something she shouldn't hides out and somehow finds herself the potential briThis book was a really fun and cute story about a woman who after seeing something she shouldn't hides out and somehow finds herself the potential bride of a 400 year old vampire. It's complete with cast of amusing side characters and an adorable little town who celebrates halloween every day of the year.
I liked a lot about this book. I enjoyed the chemistry between Delaney and Hugh. I also thought that they were wonderfully practical people - they didn't let misunderstandings last too long and were rather pragmatic no matter what was thrown at them.
But oh it's a pet peeve of mine for stories like this which have a such a short timeframe. (view spoiler)[It's only a week between meeting and them having turned Delaney. I do give a little more leeway for this in paranormal stories because if I can suspend my belief enough for the existence of supernatural creatures then I can believe almost anything. But for them to both lock down eternity after less than a week feels like a step too far (hide spoiler)]...more
I’ve been reading the Argeneau series for over a decade and there’s something rather comforting about them. You know without a doubt that you’re goingI’ve been reading the Argeneau series for over a decade and there’s something rather comforting about them. You know without a doubt that you’re going to witness a story of two sexy supernaturals finding their soulmate. There’s going to be some element of Marguerite's matchmaking and random Argeneaus popping up to add some drama too. But sometimes it’s a bit too familiar and rather than being swept up in the romance of it all I find myself underwhelmed. That was the case for me and Immortal Rising.
I should have loved this story and counted it among my favourites of the series. Stephanie McGill is a character I’ve known now for thirteen years - first having met her back in The Immortal Hunter (Argeneau #11) when her sister Danielle meets her mate, Decker. Steph has popped up in many a book since then and I’ve seen her get to grips with her new reality as a fangless immortal. We’ve also known Thorne now for a few books after the incidents on the hybrid island. This should have been a great moment considering their individual histories within the series.
And it was hot. These two did have sexual chemistry when they got together. But overall I found their bond to be a little superficial. And I wasn’t feeling the feels. I didn’t feel like they had a connection beyond the nanos saying they did and them both being outsiders. Also it was one of those stories where I really felt the passing (or lack thereof) of time. When it comes to supernatural romances I embrace the soulmates and instant bond. But for some reason I didn’t get that with these two. And so when you get near the end of the book and realise how quickly everything’s happened it just feels a little quick since they never felt like they had that big romantic moment. Steph also was a little more downbeat than I’m used to reading in this series. Usually the female leads are sassy and impulsive with a certain spark about them. Steph for the most part lacked that and her quirkiness pretty much boiled down to her talking to her pets cause she was so lonely. It was more sad than it was cute.
Things I did like was that Steph was 13 years older than she was when we met her and it had been 13 years since that book had been published. I also liked Thorne’s unique genetic makeup. It could have been weird but instead it was made fun. I do think they were a good match but it did feel like they were just so lonely and wanted connection with basically anyone. Maybe I was expecting too much.
It was a quick read and there were some fun parts. But I think it's not quite as entertaining as I’m used to from this series and I was left wanting something more than it could deliver. ...more
I read the first book in the Pride series so long ago and I couldn’t remember why I didn’t continue as it felt like a series I should love. Strong alpI read the first book in the Pride series so long ago and I couldn’t remember why I didn’t continue as it felt like a series I should love. Strong alpha shifters, plenty of steamy romance and strong families who support their pack mates no matter what. As I started reading The Beast in Him it didn’t take me long to remember exactly why I abandoned the series after only one book. What makes this series a bit different from most shifter ones I’ve read before are how animalistic the characters are. They aren’t just mostly human with a little wolvishness or with a sprinkling of wild dog. Rather they are very quick to violence and behave almost like the hyenas from The Lion King. And it’s something I found a bit hard to adapt to. I didn’t love how antagonistic they are or how casual violence was just a part of their lives. I also had a few issues with how the childhood bullying of Jessie Ann was almost ignored and just attributed to that’s how these shifters are so it’s all good.
The plot was okay but the overall climax was odd with everything not related to the romance storyline fading to nothing. I liked the romance between Smitty and Jessie Ann. But I was frustrated by her having a problem with the relationship and knowing he didn’t understand what was wrong but she was going to punish him anyway until he somehow worked it out. Miscommunication and playing games is something I don’t love to read about in my romance.
It’s a weird one because I like that it’s different from the other shifters I’ve read about in the past. But I didn’t like those differences after a while. They were all so aggressive and up to start a fight just because they could. They were deranged and I found it hard to care about them because I didn’t like them as people. But I did like that they weren’t the stereotypical damsels in distress. They were their own heroes but they just exhausted me reading their scenes. My favourite characters were the teens who weren’t like the adults and hadn’t become as animalistic as their elders.
Overall I can’t see myself continuing the series as the characters are too intense for me, the romance issues could have been solved with a simple conversation and the main other point of drama and angst fizzled out disappointingly. But I can appreciate a different style of shifter and maybe I’ll try this series again in the future when I’m in a different frame of mind. ...more
I have to admit that when I started reading I was a little nervous. I had loved the Kate Daniels books a lot and I didn't know what to expect from theI have to admit that when I started reading I was a little nervous. I had loved the Kate Daniels books a lot and I didn't know what to expect from the Aurelia Ryder spinoff. There was no need for concern - this book was fantastic. It had everything that I have come to love and expect from an Ilona Andrew novel and more.
Aurelia Ryder (aka Kate and Curran's adoptive daughter Julie) is back in Atlanta on a secret mission to take down a mysterious threat. She's grown up into a badass like her parents (and grandparents too) and will do whatever it takes to protect her loved ones. She's a little older, grittier and darker than she was as a teen still has her fighter spirit I admired in her from before.
I think the best thing about this book was how life happens. We may have taken a few years away from this world but the characters were still living their lives. They have new secrets and pasts we have no clue about and will no doubt have some fun exploring. Things have clearly happened to them and shaped who they are and the mystery of guessing what's going on is still there despite being familiar with the characters and the world. I also loved how everything isn't just black and white - there's a whole spectrum. People aren't just good or just evil. They multifaceted and there is so much going on. I always get the feeling that you could pluck any character from the world and have them tell their story because everyone feels like they do have their own stuff. No one exists solely for the purpose of the main character needing something from them.
I feel like there's so much I want to say but I don't want to say too much because part of what I loved so much was not knowing what was going to happen. I can not wait for the next book. The only problem with having read this one so close to the release date is that there's so much longer to wait till the next installment. ...more
I was surprised by just how much I enjoyed this book. I think it's because there was more action. Things happened and they happened quickly. I liked tI was surprised by just how much I enjoyed this book. I think it's because there was more action. Things happened and they happened quickly. I liked the reveals and thought it was paced really well. IT's unpredictable but in a way that felt planned out. I even didn't mind Mac in this book. I know! Almost all of my questions I had from previous books were (finally!) answered and I was really satisfied by the ending. I still think that overall this series wasn't my favourite but this book and how it all came together made it a worthwhile reading experience. ...more
I wanted to like this book but there were things stopping me from really getting into it. Mostly the main character Jackie. She's judgemental and ridiI wanted to like this book but there were things stopping me from really getting into it. Mostly the main character Jackie. She's judgemental and ridiculously impulsive. And whilst her impulsiveness did help drive the story and get her into amusing situations, I just didn't connect with her.
I did enjoy the supernatural elements in the novel. The lore regarding the angels and vampires is interesting. Jackie's transformation into a succubus and her new life afterwards was fun to experience with her. I also liked the other characters we were introduced to along the way. But I won't be continuing the series. I found this one hard to finish as I got to a point where I didn't care what happened to Jackie and the things I enjoyed in the book couldn't help with that. ...more
I can understand why the Kate Daniels series is a favourite to so many people. This book was amazing. From the unique gladiator style arena contest toI can understand why the Kate Daniels series is a favourite to so many people. This book was amazing. From the unique gladiator style arena contest to the chemistry between Kate and Curran - not to mention all the other spoiler type things that happened. I loved reading this book. I'm having a lot of fun getting to learn more about Kate as her social circle expands and about the friends she's making. There's a lot of mystery going on in this book but information reveals itself when it needs to. It's one of those great mystery type books where so much is not obviously apparent but the secrets feel organic and well planned when they do. It's a pet peeve where unguessable mysteries feel thrown in because the author/s didn't know what the secret was either. This is not one of those series. With everything that happened in Magic Strikes, I'm even MORE eager to find out what happens next. ...more
I have a soft spot for the Immortals after Dark series by Kresley Cole. This is the series which took me from a casual paranormal fan to someone who aI have a soft spot for the Immortals after Dark series by Kresley Cole. This is the series which took me from a casual paranormal fan to someone who actively sought out new books with vampires, shifters and other creatures who go bump in the night.
It’s been a few years since my last Kresley book but I enjoyed this one as much as I had the previous ones in the series. One of the things I enjoy most about this series is how it tries to put a different spin on things. Each book focuses on a different Lorien finding their predestined mate and that’s no different in Munro. But what is different are the circumstances around their meeting and potential mating. Munro, a 900 year old Scottish werewolf, gets his opportunity to find his mate in this book but he never expected her to be a human circus performer from the 1920s. Kereny Codrina isn’t just a mortal from a different time but she spends her nights actively hunting Immortals and isn’t about to stop just because a werewolf crashes her wedding.
I enjoyed so much about this book. The characters are a lot of fun and Kerney is such a strong woman. She might be human but she’s more than capable of coping and holding her own against all the Lore might throw at her. Their chemistry is great and the banter between her and Munro reminded me of everything I love about their series. The time travel aspect was a lot of fun too. It was interesting to see the rules around it and limitations. It didn’t contradict previous books in the series and I felt like I understood why other characters didn’t use it in the past to change their futures. I wasn’t sure I would like the time travel element but it added a lot to the plot and to Munro and Kerney’s journey.
The ending wasn’t my favourite. I felt the pacing got a little odd towards the end and I just wasn’t as into the story for the last 20% as I had been for the first 80 but I still appreciated how this book does its part to move the whole series overall plot forward a little. We got to see a little of other characters who are yet to find their mate. But what I loved even more was seeing some of those who we had followed in previous books. Lothaire is one of my favourites from the Immortals after Dark series and it was a pleasure to see him again. Especially because he is the same in essence as he was before his book. He doesn’t somehow become all lovely and kind because of finding Ellie. But rather he is still up to his old tricks.
I hope I don’t have to wait so long before Munro and the next book because I had forgotten just how much I enjoyed this world and the different Immortals who inhabit it. This is still my favourite paranormal romance series and whilst Munro wasn’t my favourite instalment I still enjoyed the characters and their journey. ...more
When you have a series which has spanned over 17 books, a spinoff series and has been written over the course of fifteen years things are going to chaWhen you have a series which has spanned over 17 books, a spinoff series and has been written over the course of fifteen years things are going to change. I feel like the Black Dagger Brotherhood has been through many different stages over the course of its life. It went from being very paranormal romance focused back at the beginning. Then it tried being heavy on the urban fantasy side of things and the romance almost being an afterthought. There were a few books which were mostly revisiting couples we had watched fall in love in previous novels. Now with The Savior I feel we are back closer to the beginning with this book being mostly about a new couple finding each other with very little about the overall war with the lessors. There's a little revisiting of JM and Xhex but it didn't detract from the main story being told in The Savior. No - this book is mostly about Mhurder and Sarah.
I liked this book a lot more than some of the other more recent books. Mostly because I liked Sarah. She's a practical sort and I admired that about her. I liked seeing her relationship grow with Mhurder and the bonds she made with the other BDB characters.
But there was also quite a bit about this book that frustrated me. Mostly being that everything was just way too easy. (view spoiler)[From how easy it was to break out of the the medical facility to how easy it ended up being for Mhurder to rejoin the Brotherhood. And then that bit at the end with Lassiter? That was just... really? You make other couples go through hell and back and sacrifice all kinds of things to be together and in this one you make the angel give them a diamond? And then it wasn't even explained quite what sort of 'gift' they had unwittingly accepted. I don't get it. Especially because neither of them had even really met Lassiter. It was so weird and felt like a cop out. (hide spoiler)] This book just tied things up too nicely which I know is a pet peeve with me.
It was also light on regarding the war with the Omega and all that messy business with Throe and all that jazz. This wasn't a problem for me because I tend to flip through that sort of thing normally but there wasn't really any of it to skip this time. And I actually missed it.
I'll still compulsively buy this series because there is a lot that I've loved about it over the years. But I have lost sight of the overall plot. I don't see where things are going to go for the vampires in general and this book was weird in terms of it didn't really set things up for a future character to focus on in the next book. ...more
I didn't quite understand how the paranormal creatures in this book fit into the rest of the series. And there were just a few too many things that diI didn't quite understand how the paranormal creatures in this book fit into the rest of the series. And there were just a few too many things that didn't add up for me. ...more
Essentially Stockholm syndrome but I think there's some kind of loophole where if you mention Stockholm syndrome in the text then it can't possibly beEssentially Stockholm syndrome but I think there's some kind of loophole where if you mention Stockholm syndrome in the text then it can't possibly be that. I actually enjoyed it. It might not seem like it because of my slight sarcastic review but there's something about this story that kept me reading. I liked the characters and I think had they had a full novel I would have liked them even more. ...more
This is one of those books which made me wonder how the supernatural creatures in this series have managed to exist for so long. Because they're just.This is one of those books which made me wonder how the supernatural creatures in this series have managed to exist for so long. Because they're just... a little clueless. Marie is an employee of a supernatural dating agency and uses the resources at hand to help her find a supernatural willing to turn her. She's not picky - vampire, wereshifter, she'd even take a fae. She's not looking for a long term commitment. She just wants to live forever. Well she says she only wants to cure the sleep disorder she has which is killing her.
How do all the supernaturals with their magical senses and all that jazz not realise there's something wrong? And they don't realise she's associating with vampires etc. considering they can smell danger a mile off?
It's an okay story. I didn't warm to Marie (mostly because of her made up sounding disease and partly because of how stupid I found her to be). But her relationship with Josh (view spoiler)[was sweet when it was actually happening. They had a lot of drama and not a huge amount of rationale to why they deserved each other. But that's their problem now. Because changing someone to an immortal after one tumble in the sheets is ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA. (hide spoiler)]...more
I liked this different take on alpha wolves. It's not quite like I've read before featuring Alice an Alpha Female who needs her Alpha male to protect I liked this different take on alpha wolves. It's not quite like I've read before featuring Alice an Alpha Female who needs her Alpha male to protect the pack. The dynamic between Alice and Jackson was fun and I liked how the events of this story played out. It's hot and these characters as a couple are two of my favourite from the series. ...more
I wasn't a fan of the first book in the series but I saw enough of Sara and Ramsey to want to know what happened next. I liked them as a couple and maI wasn't a fan of the first book in the series but I saw enough of Sara and Ramsey to want to know what happened next. I liked them as a couple and many of the things I didn't enjoy from the first book weren't an issue in this one. The chemistry between the characters was great and I liked them together. Not entirely sure how Sarah's personality has taken such a huge change from how she was described in the first book but that's not really an issue.
Plot was very predictable but I liked Sara and Ramsay enough that I didn't care. Overall it's a fun romance and that's all there is to that. ...more
I really enjoyed this one. Savannah and Conner's story had been hinted at throughout the series and I think I only read some of the other stories becaI really enjoyed this one. Savannah and Conner's story had been hinted at throughout the series and I think I only read some of the other stories because I wanted to get to this one. And it didn't disappoint. We got to see their whole journey from the events which happened in book 1 right up until present day. It's one of my favourite stories in the series.
It's romantic and I liked the characters a lot. But it's not all that deep. Kind of like the literary equivalent of popcorn. Fun at the time and you enjoyed it but it's not satisfying or fulfilling. ...more
Enjoyed this series overall. I thought that it was a little long winded and not sure all the detail was always necessary (like mentioning the types ofEnjoyed this series overall. I thought that it was a little long winded and not sure all the detail was always necessary (like mentioning the types of credit card used in a hotel that was only featured for less than a page. Was that really needed? Little details like that just made this book way longer than it had to be).
But I liked how far the characters had come over the course of the trilogy. The cast of secondary characters are fantastic and I did grow to appreciate Diana and Matthew by the end.
Overall I thought the book was disappointingly anticlimactic but the ending was entirely appropriate for all of the characters. All up I loved the first book, tolerated the second and respected how the trilogy wrapped up in the third. ...more
I think most people have a few pet peeves when it comes to what they want to read. Those things that you prefer not to read because they annoy or frusI think most people have a few pet peeves when it comes to what they want to read. Those things that you prefer not to read because they annoy or frustrate you. This book seemed to have all of mine. I liked the idea of the book. Paranormal dating agency with humans finding themselves mixed up in were cougar drama. But I didn't like the characters. Bathsheba has beautiful hair, is a virgin sex goddess and is oddly protective of her sister. Beau is obsessively possessive and a bit of a social cripple. And they're both impulsively stupid.
(view spoiler)[I mean seriously, he has no idea how to be with a human and just hammers away as he's in heat and she still has thirteen orgasms the night she loses her virginity? That's one of the biggest paranormal occurrences in the book. And the ending? Someone calls her to say her sister is in danger so she goes to a murderer's house. Without weapons or backup. And without calling her sister or talking to her. Add to that these evil psychopaths all about to kill yet they let Bath have an unsupervised bathroom visit cause... why? It was just so dumb. Bathsheba is too stupid to live. And her beau Beau was just a super controlling alpha male who loves her hair. They seemed to be in love because...well I'm not sure why. They just were. I like people to have to earn their love stories. But I suppose these two deserved each other because no one else should have to be stuck with them. (hide spoiler)]
I can see the appeal of this book. Plenty of sexy characters having sexy times and a great mix of secondary character I found more interesting than the leads. But I just found it so silly and unrealistic. And whilst paranormal stories are always going to have a bit of the unbelievable about them I thought the plot was too simplistic. ...more
I think I've worked out why this series hasn't been working out for me so far. It contains almost all over my pet peeves in a book. Acronyms for made I think I've worked out why this series hasn't been working out for me so far. It contains almost all over my pet peeves in a book. Acronyms for made up things I'll never remember, adolescent characters who seem only to be there to be a cheerleader for the main character as well as adding comic relief (can you tell I'm not a Dani fan?), letting me believe I have another thirty pages or so only for the author to trick me with an extensive character list and recipes for food I'm never going to make even if I could. Oh yeah and a heroine who is so ridiculously impulsive that the biggest paranormal mystery involved in this entire series is how she's managed to live considering how reckless she is.
But I'm still reading and I'll continue to do for at least for another book or so. Because despite all the things I have issue with - I need to know what happens next. Whilst things do happen in the book, over all I still have ALL the same questions I had at the end of book 1. (view spoiler)[Like who killed Alina, who are Mac's parents? What is Barrons? Why does Ro have such a massive beef with Mac to the extent that she risks the entire order of sidhe-seers just to play juvenile games with her. (hide spoiler)]
I had started to read this book in the past and couldn't get past the first 20% or so. But this time I found it didn't bother me as much - possibly because I was less invested in the characters. But I did take issue with the way those events were refereed to throughout (especially by Barrons) in a taunting almost teasing manner. It's a fantasy book but I didn't like how blasé they were regarding consent or lack there of.
This book ends on a horrible cliffhanger I'm not sure I'd have been able to wait a year in between instalments but that's the upside of waiting years after a book has been released. I don't have to. I wouldn't consider myself a fan of this series but there is something compelling about Mac's Irish adventures with the Fae and the magically evil book. It's probably one of those reads that's more enjoyable if you don't take any of it seriously in the slightest. ...more
With the Lessening Society waging war against the vampire society, it's time for the Black Dagger Brotherhood (BDB) to start training a new generationWith the Lessening Society waging war against the vampire society, it's time for the Black Dagger Brotherhood (BDB) to start training a new generation of warriors. And for the first time in history they are opening their doors to more than just well-bred males. Paradise wants more from her life than needlepoint and being told who to marry. When the opportunity comes for her to train and learn to protect not only herself but all vampire kind - she fights for her chance to be accepted into the BDB training program. The attraction she feels towards fellow trainee, Craeg, is immediate, intense and reciprocated. But no matter how strongly Craeg feels towards Paradise, he will not risk romance for his position in the program. Will the two trainees sort out their feeling before an unknown threat threatens to tear them apart forever...
Blood Kiss is a great addition to the Black Dagger universe. The first book in a new series focusing on the new cohort of trainees, Blood Kiss is a mix of the old with a dash of the new. Despite this book being the first in a new series, it isn't a standalone. There is so much from the Black Dagger Brotherhood series being referenced throughout the book. From little things like Paradise and Craeg's first meeting which occurred in The Shadows (BDB # 13) and other small details but also huge things like the romance between Butch and Marissa which came to its own in Lover Revealed (BDB #3).
It is an interesting book for a few reasons. In many ways it feels like a throw back to the beginning of the series before the Sympaths, the Shadows and all the other different sects of the paranormal community co-existing in these books all started making life more interesting for the Brothers. It's a simpler story-line than the more recent BDB books with almost all of the plot revolving around either Paradise and Craeg's situation or Butch and Marissa's relationship.
I didn't understand why it is being branded as being the first in a new series when it is so interrelated with the original BDB series. Yes, this series is going to focus on the BDB Legacy - the new trainees who will learn how to be the next generation of BDB warriors. But considering that was what John Matthew (from Lover Mine, BDB #8), Qhuinn and Blaylock (from Lover at Last, BDB #11) were when we first met them, I don't quite understand why the pseudo spinoff.
This is Butch and Marissa's sequel in many ways with much of the novel devoted to showing us their relationship now they had their mating ritual and how happily-ever-after looks for them now. Their drama mixed well with the introduction of the new trainees and highlighted the differences between their established relationship with Paradise and Craeg's turbulent romance. Scenes between both couples were sweet, romantic, steamy and at times full of all the delicious dangerous drama readers love to experience from a JR Ward novel.
Blood Kiss is a must read for fans of the original Black Dagger Brotherhood series. Dark sensuality combined with deadly danger and passion, this book is a great new direction for the BDB universe. Combining new characters with old favourites, Ward breathes new life into the world these vampires live in. With more focus on the characters and less drama revolving around the Vampire war and their enemies, this book has less complicated world building than the newest BDB releases and focuses more on the romance and relationships between the characters. After reading Blood Kiss I'm excited to read about the rest of the new trainees in the next instalments of the Black Dagger Legacy series....more
I always enjoy Kresley Cole novels and Wicked Abyss is no exception. I love her combination of sassy heroines determined not to just accept whatever tI always enjoy Kresley Cole novels and Wicked Abyss is no exception. I love her combination of sassy heroines determined not to just accept whatever the universe throws at them and the alpha males who are their fated mates. This particular book wasn't my favourite in the series for a few reasons. It was a loose retelling of Beauty and the Beast but it felt way too familiar. There's another book in the series (I think it was Macrieve) which did the whole kidnapped and captured helpless female thing a few stories ago. I also wanted more valkyrie. More interaction with other characters from the Lore (although I did like the snippets of some of the other Morior who popped in). But it was a fun book (view spoiler)[(once you get past all the abusing and blaming Lila for wicked deeds her previous self apparently committed against Sian) (hide spoiler)]. The sex was hot, I loved the magical castle and by the end of the book there was a sense that maybe they did deserve each other. There was just some things on the way that I wasn't really feeling.
