If a book boredom could kill, you’d be celebrating my funeral right now. Oh, yes. Celebrating is the word.
I don’t like the way Singh writes romance. If a book boredom could kill, you’d be celebrating my funeral right now. Oh, yes. Celebrating is the word.
I don’t like the way Singh writes romance. This fascination with the über-alpha male is tiresome and not at all exciting, mostly because it comes with heroines who must submit before they can start hammering some sense into the thickheaded muscle men.
Having said that, Clay wasn’t as bad as the three that came before him. He actually asks Talin if he can embrace her the first time. Then it quickly dissolves into assumed skin-privileges, dubcon territory, and “magical cock cures all” the elaborate edition.
Still, I love the world-building (other than the fascination with the onetime mating with a borderline abusive jerk) and keep reading because of the long plot. As bored as I was, I woke up during the Psy-Net activity scenes. What can I say. I’m hoping the evil will triumph. ...more
Dirty talk doesn't work for me. It's unfortunate, because the narrator's voice leans on the graphic side in an overly-wordy fashion. At first I thoughDirty talk doesn't work for me. It's unfortunate, because the narrator's voice leans on the graphic side in an overly-wordy fashion. At first I thought Warren's writing reminded me of Damon Suede's in Hot Head because despite its flaws—namely wordiness and vulgarity—the writing is compulsively readable somehow. I can't quite explain it because the story definitely didn't suck me in.
It wasn't the characters either. Neither Blondie—Nathaniel Rice—or Caspar act like men who've grown up in a world where homosexuality is illegal. Blondie is too handsy and Caspar too talkative. Sex is their shorthand for insta-trust, but it's not believable in the world the author describes. Not unless the narrator has a death wish and nothing else in his behaviour indicates that does.
I mentioned vulgarity earlier, and here it passes as erotic, which it's not. It's really not. Unless you're one of the people who finds armpit sweat sexy.
The world building is crudely done but quite solid. It's explained in lengthy infodumps by the first person voice narrator's thoughts rather than evolved naturally through plot progression and dialogue. This didn't actually bother me as much as I thought it would. In fact, it was the reason I kept reading instead of DNFing after the first chapter. Then when the Nomads are introduced it becomes clear that this book is trying to be social commentary on the current situation of the sexual minorities and no, I just don't have enough faith in the author's talent to see that train wreck through.
I DNFed at 38%.
I received an Advanced Readers Copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley....more
Every word and every look is pure something whether it makes sense or not—basic knowledge of chemistry does not help—and the sex scenes are oh so clicEvery word and every look is pure something whether it makes sense or not—basic knowledge of chemistry does not help—and the sex scenes are oh so clichéd as they can be. Heaven forbid a woman be comfortable with male nudity even if she'd grown up in the midst of shapeshifters who are always losing their clothes. At this point I’m just glad I didn’t go to medical school because who knows what I would have to say about the heart surgery scene.
Instead of focusing on Brenna’s very real and raw trauma this book is about Judd’s mental block that keeps them both unhappy. Fixing him fixes them both. Magically. The problem is that addressing his mental hindrance becomes repetitive soon and instead of balancing it with the slow progress Brenna should be making it’s intercepted with a whodunnit mystery.
It’s safe to say I didn’t like the book and came very close to hating it, but despite all its flaws, Caressed by Ice does have Ghost’s first official appearance, which is enough to keep me reading on.
P.S. Why must the man always be stronger and more capable than the woman? Even if the woman is a werewolf naturally stronger than a human or a Psy?...more
It seems like Roberts got back into the groove again with her sixth In Death novel and it’s all thanks to the mystery. Well, not the mystery per say. It seems like Roberts got back into the groove again with her sixth In Death novel and it’s all thanks to the mystery. Well, not the mystery per say. The book works because of the killer. Instead of writing (poorly) about Wicca and Satanism, Roberts writes about a safe Catholic mad man who just “happens” to have ties to Roarke’s past.
The further I read this series, the less I respect Eve Dallas as a policeman and the more I see this story as just another offering at the great altar of Roarke. Every. Single. Thing. Revolves around him. Eve does a very little actual policing and instead spends her time skirting the law and bending the rules to keep Roarke safe. And having sex. There’s a lot of fade-to-black sex, again.
I wouldn’t mind seeing what happens to the secondary characters and if they keep true to their original characterisations—or descriptions, which I could be doubting because of my Swiss cheese brain—but I doubt I’m keen enough to hunt down the remaining thirty something books of this series. ...more
Earlier I remarked that in the previous book—Kuoleman hurmio or Rapture in Death—Doctor Mira seemed out of character. Well, in this one, it’s Eve DallEarlier I remarked that in the previous book—Kuoleman hurmio or Rapture in Death—Doctor Mira seemed out of character. Well, in this one, it’s Eve Dallas herself that steps out of character. Or that’s how I felt.
From the start of the In Death series Eve has always trusted her instincts and her dark, painful past has been a source of compassion that’s allowed her to do her job more effectively than others. Not here. Here, she utterly wrecks a suspect in the interrogation room and others compliment her for it. Sure, they note how hard she is—on the junior constable who originally tries to protest but ends up apologising. And Eve’s not even getting results; the suspect doesn’t confess. I didn’t buy Roberts’ reasoning for Eve’s behaviour and I thought it more likely she acted so abnormally for the exact opposite reasons: (view spoiler)[Eve might have hoped that Chas was innocent but that’s not why she tore into him. Eve believed and feared Chas was guilty because of their similar pasts that’d mean she had the same “demons” in her. Instead of finding her fears unfounded, her behaviour proved them valid (hide spoiler)]. It’d been more believable had Roberts claimed that a dark spell affected Eve’s psyche.
Speaking of spells. I didn’t like how Wicca was portrayed here. Sure the book was written in the mid 90’s when I was a fan of Charmed but the times have changed. I’ve read enough to learn to despise how authors use this and other pagan religions for their plots. Even when they try to be fair and courteous they only end up using Wicca for its sensationalism rather than as an aspect of a character’s life that helps to explain who he or she is.
Also, for as long-winded series as this, Roberts isn’t doing much with the long plot. She just keeps throwing Eve’s childhood abuse around and further trivialising it. I was hoping Roarke would continue to examine his own self-doubts after what happened in the previous book, but instead there’s more fade-to-black sex in this book than there’s been in all the other In Death books—so far—combined. Maybe I’m wrong and the issue is addressed later, but the way things are looking now, I’m pretty sure I’ll never find out. (view spoiler)[I’m actually hoping now that Roarke turns out to be a very adept psychopath serial killer slash mass-murderer who has made his life ambition to fuck up Dallas’ sanity. (hide spoiler)]
There’s only one more translated book left, and right now, nothing is enticing me to switch to English to keep reading the series....more
I finished reading this book a couple of hours ago and it’s already wiped from my memory. There was space travel and video games. Maybe. The culprit wI finished reading this book a couple of hours ago and it’s already wiped from my memory. There was space travel and video games. Maybe. The culprit was my second guess. As for the mental fuckery that happened here, oh boy.
I don’t know if it’s because of the format or by choice but, although Roberts has great ideas but she never fully explores them. Everything was wrapped a bit too easily and quickly because the author tried to keep the secret until the final pages. I’m hoping Roarke’s involuntary misstep comes back to haunt him just as I’m hoping that Roberts continues to explore Eve’s past instead of just reminding the reader that she’s been through a bad, bad thing. And Eve needs make her mind about nature versus nurture....more
I never do this, but lists. You’re getting lists this time:
What I liked: • The subtlety. I’m not a jaded scifi reader, so all the scifi elements introI never do this, but lists. You’re getting lists this time:
What I liked: • The subtlety. I’m not a jaded scifi reader, so all the scifi elements introduced were suitably familiar, but not too incomprehensible to me. • Prejudices. • The exploration of inequality in a relationship. Whether the inequality is constructed by rules parents teach their children or science that removes choice, it is real and there aren’t any easy answers. • The writing. • Akhmim. • The ending.
What I didn’t like: • Multiple first person voice point of views. Four to be exact. Hariba, Akhmim, Hariba’s mother, and her best friend. Their voices were too similar and I think it only really worked for Akhmim. For a comprehensive introspection of the society I would have preferred to read this story in third limited. • The helpless, clingy Hariba. • Hariba. ...more
This is basically a repeat of the first book with different characters, slightly different psychic abilities, and the fact that the couple actually diThis is basically a repeat of the first book with different characters, slightly different psychic abilities, and the fact that the couple actually discussed about some of their problems. He actually wanted her to choose him unprompted—or uncoerced. Yes, the casual misogyny or he is always right attitude is still there but not quite as bad. There also was a killer, again, and some advancing of the bigger Psy plot but not enough for my taste.
It started out well but ended on a sour note, at least where the romance is concerned. I don’t mind the fated pairs nature that practically eliminatesIt started out well but ended on a sour note, at least where the romance is concerned. I don’t mind the fated pairs nature that practically eliminates choice and comes with the shapeshifter romances, but I do mind the utter suffocating of one half’s will. I was hoping that Singh would hit that precious balance between his overprotectiveness and her need stand on her own two feet, but instead it went down the he is always right–path.
What I did like and why I’ll probably continue with the series despite the dismal rating, is the world. I liked the Psy and their reliance on logic and attempt to shun emotion. We need more Vulcans in fiction. I also liked the pack dynamics on the changeling side to a certain extent. They’re a bit too misogynistic for my taste but if I don’t overindulge or attempt to take any of the “romances” seriously, I should be able to cope. ...more
It’s time for Eve’s old friend to become a suspect in a murder case and for Eve to prove her innocence. Once again, I guessed the murderer the moment It’s time for Eve’s old friend to become a suspect in a murder case and for Eve to prove her innocence. Once again, I guessed the murderer the moment [s]he appeared on the stage simply by extrapolating from the profiles of previous In Death murderers. I do hope the next mystery is a bit more challenging.
Another entertaining instalment in the series but, again, nothing special. I appreciate the long plots and relationship developments between characters, but the treatment of Eve’s past trauma, although necessary reeked of exploitation to me. It could have been handled better.
It looks like only six of the In Death novels have been translated into Finnish and unless something spectacular happens, I’ll finish with the series there. ...more
Eve Dallas and the lot continue their investigations in the second In Death novel. I’m rounding the rating up because the mystery wasn’t quite as predEve Dallas and the lot continue their investigations in the second In Death novel. I’m rounding the rating up because the mystery wasn’t quite as predictable (even though it was) as in the first book and because this time I was happily distracted by Eve’s and Roarke’s relationship.
No, Roarke still doesn’t make me swoon and Eve has her annoying moments, but their interactions are entertaining. Roberts apparently realised she’d rushed things with their relationship and took things back a bit, only to resolve them quickly and continue with the pre-scheduled sex. I wonder if all thirty something books in the series will continue this one step forward, two steps back dance with their relationship.
I’m not convinced that Eve is as good a police officer everyone in the books seems to think she is, and I’ll be adding that to the list of things to look for in the following books. Unfortunately, there weren’t that many new world building details in this book, but I can see how Irene and Sandy might have led to an economic collapse in an alternative universe and timeline.
Maybe it’s because of the translation and the fact that Finnish doesn’t quite work like English does, but the fact is that there are a few things that sound dated as I read these books. Considering how old the books are, it’s amazing there aren’t more of them....more
Murder mystery set in near future—year 2058—a jaded cop, and a rich but dashing suspect. The romance aspect is of the usual Nora Roberts quality—enterMurder mystery set in near future—year 2058—a jaded cop, and a rich but dashing suspect. The romance aspect is of the usual Nora Roberts quality—entertaining but nothing special—as is the mystery part—nothing beats Agatha Christie.
I’ve heard Roarke praised as a swoon-worthy love interest but I didn’t see it. I thought he had all the qualities needed to get through Eve’s defences, but Roberts rushed the physical aspect of their relationship and almost turned Roarke into a rapist. Almost.
The mystery is simplistic and the culprit is quite easily deduced from the first moment [s]he makes an appearance. I appreciated the link to Eve’s past but in a way I felt like it was trivialising a serious issue.
The absolute best part of the reading experience was—for me—figuring out what had been going on around 93–95 when Roberts was writing this book and how she’d imagine the future. I’ll probably continue with the series just to see how the world evolves as the years progress and what it’s like now that we’re twenty years closer to 2058 than when the author first wrote about the characters....more
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