Interesting rejected mate scenario, but the execution kills all the emotion and feels out of the story. The writing is very odd at times almost like mInteresting rejected mate scenario, but the execution kills all the emotion and feels out of the story. The writing is very odd at times almost like maybe it could be AI … possibly.
The tiring conflict between my heart's desire and my mind's logic made me pause in my path after every few steps, questioning whether I should just turn back.
In a nutshell, (all in the blurb and within the first 2 chapters) Inaya and Zane have been “dating” in secret for years because it is forbidden to date anyone other than your mate. (It is never explained, but I’m wondering if they are the only pack and can’t have human mates since they have no other option if they never find their mate. ...more
Man, I read a slew of cheating bastards this weekend, here we have Ivie and her mate Dante. I thought the bones were good, and I was hooked initially Man, I read a slew of cheating bastards this weekend, here we have Ivie and her mate Dante. I thought the bones were good, and I was hooked initially with all the drama and heartbreak that happens in the first several chapters. I believe it would've benefited from a couple more revisions to catch some of the issues, but the author is creative and shows promise. I do feel it would help to have the world planned out first because the mate rejection was the main conflict, but the actual paranormal aspect faded to the background to the point that I’d forget that they were shifters until some random tidbit would be thrown out when IMHO it should’ve been a major part of the plot.
The blurb gives very little away, so I’m going to spoiler the general outline which is all happens within the first 15% because I like to know what I’m getting in to, but please STOP if you want to go in blind. (view spoiler)[
Ivie is an Omega werewolf that sort of sneaks into a ball when she runs into her mate. After a night together he ruthlessly kicks her out telling her that a Lycan can’t have a lowly Omega mate and that he already has a fiancée. Heartbroken Ivie flees only to learn she’s going to be punished by her pack. Dante turns out to be Prince Dante and he steps in to be her mate on paper only to secure an heir. This is a crappy situation for Ivie because Dante believes she tried to trick him and pretty much hates her. He also cheats on her with his ex-fiancée (Miranda) and kicks her out/formally rejects her when Miranda becomes pregnant. Then we FFW 5 years with both Ivie and Dante not where they expected to be. Ivie has succeeded in the business world and Dante is struggling with his people and mating with Miranda. (hide spoiler)]
My biggest complaint with the book was that the writing was lacking any depth. The world building was skipped over completely; we were told there were wolves and Lycans and Ivie ran into a Beta at one point, but we we’re given nothing on pack dynamics or how the two races interacted. Do the Lycans rule over everyone? Are they older, bigger, much more powerful? Do they have extra powers? Are were/lycan matches common? Are they typically compatible? What happens when they mate, will the kids be were or lycan? All this was skipped over. The only information we received was that Omegas were low man on the totem pole and seem to be fairly powerless. They also didn’t seem to be respected, so I’m unsure what their role was in the pack since Omega’s are usually special for the alphas because Dante acted like she was way beneath him. We were also lacking any knowledge on the mating bond and how that worked since Dante broke it, but somehow it was still lingering.
The flow was awkward as well. We switched scenes abruptly several times without much of an intro making it feel jarring. Other times we skipped or brushed over scenes that should’ve been important to the plot but happened behind the scenes and then were info dumped the details after the fact.
There were also many plot holes and inconsistencies that kept distracting me. (view spoiler)[
➖ If she couldn’t override the command of her beta, how could she override Miranda who was a Lycan and should’ve been more powerful? ➖ If him and Miranda were having sex and he was seeing her naked. How’d she fake a bump? Ivie mentions seeing it in her black dress. ➖ If the bond broke when he rejected her, why could they still feel it? What was up with the BBS? He had no issue staying away from her 5 years earlier when he had access to her 24/7. ➖ The smelling. If they have super-smelling. There’re several times they smell stuff like Miranda smelling Ivie on him. Why couldn’t the others smell that they made out minutes before in the room? How could he not smell the pregnancy and lack of pregnancy? ➖ Back to the smelling. If Mace could tell Ivie and Dante smelled alike why couldn’t anyone else? Why would they smell the same? ➖ How did Miranda keep getting out if she was locked in her room? ➖ Why would the person in on the ploy try to save Ivie? What was the point? The co-conspirators were actively working against each other. One was setting it up and the other was shutting it down. I think the author added it to keep us off the scent, but your red herrings still have to fit logically into the plot when the aha moment is revealed. ➖ If the entire heartache/conflict of the whole book was because the H chose duty over his fated mate then why on Earth would the h promise her son to be betrothed to an ally’s daughter? She said she put in a clause that they could get out once they reached maturity… sure after they were brainwashed their entire lives that they should be together cuz that’s going to be a level playing field to his true mate. She literally just lived that nightmare. (hide spoiler)]
Bottom Line- It was alright. The idea was good, but the execution wasn’t the greatest, but it wasn’t too far off from a 3⭐. It just needed some world building and tightening things up. I did peek to see if the son was going to get a book because I can already imagine the torture his poor mate is going to go through, but I didn’t see it out there.
Safety- (view spoiler)[We know the H was still sleeping with the OW when he was mated to the h because she claims she’s pregnant, but nothing is ever on page until she catches them kissing. (hide spoiler)]...more
2.5 Stars I’ve read several books by this author and really enjoyed them because she typically does alpha males and crazy wannabe OW drama, two things 2.5 Stars I’ve read several books by this author and really enjoyed them because she typically does alpha males and crazy wannabe OW drama, two things I LOVE. Sadly, this was pretty much missing both. And although technically this has a rejected mate scenario, it’s really more of a misunderstanding than a real rejection, so it doesn’t really generate super angsty feels.
The blurb sets it up, the winter wolves have been raised with close-minded beliefs including that fated mates don’t exist, so when Sabine tells Mitchell (the alpha) she’s his mate, he assumes she’s trying to trick him. He doesn’t formally reject her but tells her she is wrong and proceeds to tell the pack she’s a scheming liar, pretty much ruining her business. Stuff happens, and he's forced to work hard to earn her trust and fix his pack.
Bottom Line- It was alright, just a smidge bland at times. Sabine was pretty kickass, but Mitchell was one of the wimpiest alphas I’ve ever read. The pacing was off. It started out good, but the middle DRAGGED on, then the ending was rushed WAY too quickly at 97%. Even the author knew it. “Is it just me or did anyone else find that far too anticlimactic?” I asked. Yes, yes it was.
Safety(view spoiler)[- The day after she tells him they’re mates he has sex with his on/off GF Carmella and almost kills her with cheating mate pains. He didn’t really think they were mates or know it would hurt her. The Dr. has her make out with a dude to prove to him it’s true and so he can experience a piece of the pain. (he may have been spelled/fuddled into the sex as he was under her influence) (hide spoiler)]...more
This was Ok, but I thought both main characters sucked LARGE. The H, Drake, because he was such a wuss and honestly quite stupid when it came2.5 Stars
This was Ok, but I thought both main characters sucked LARGE. The H, Drake, because he was such a wuss and honestly quite stupid when it came to the whiny OW and the safety of his kingdom, and the h ,Ember, was absolutely selfish in the choices she made that hurt an innocent because of her pride. I can’t really review and give zero spoilers, so I’ll tag the rest, but will try to be vague. (view spoiler)[
The blurb sets this up, Ember (Shifters) and Drake’s (Dark Fae) kingdoms have been warring for years when they attend a peace summit and discover they are mates. This part was a smidge confusing because the little world building was delivered via an info dump, but I think there were different Fae groups and maybe some elves. (??) The leaders decide an arranged marriage (neither wants to mate despite being mates) will be the answer for peace and they ship Ember off to the Fae Kingdom. Unfortunately, Drake is conflicted because years earlier he promised his dying best friend that he would marry his sister (not romantic), Rosalana.
Stuff happens. The couple grows closer, but Rosalana keeps creeping up like a bad rash to remind Drake of his promise and make him feel guilty. More stuff happens and the couple separates. Ember leaves with a secret. There’s a time jump and this is where I got pissed at Ember because their daughter is struggling. She acknowledges that the kid doesn’t fit into the human world, she’s lying to her about everything including her father being dead, and knows she has no friends/never fit in. I thought this was incredibly selfish, she could’ve gone to her kingdom if she didn’t want to live with Drake, but he wasn’t a bad guy and didn’t deserve to have his kid hidden from him. Regardless, the only person she hurt was her daughter who was miserable and ended up in a terrible situation because of Ember’s choices and stubbornness.
Bottom Line- Just ok. It wasn’t super angsty. The potential was there, but the characters are written in a way that kills the feels. There is some drama and action though. It would've helped had the mcs actually had conversations about the promise situation and expressed some feelings towards each other. (introducing more of a forbidden/I love you but I already made a promise sort of situation-- I also think it would've worked better had he already been engaged) Instead all the parts were just laid out separately without really connecting them together.
The Ow drama was fun at times, and I liked that the h wasn’t a pushover. But some parts were SUPER frustrating, and Ember held on to her bitterness for so long that she killed the romance for me. Which was frustrating because Drake’s feeling and attraction for Ember was never the issue, it was his misguided sense of honor he had to his dead friend… that she never really let him explain… but then he didn’t try super hard to make her listen either. Like I said, frustrating.
Safety- H thinks of OW as a little sister. Both are celibate during the separation.
This was recommended to me after I was talking to some book-friends about my experience with Mountain Daddy's Milk & Honey. I was told this was more This was recommended to me after I was talking to some book-friends about my experience with Mountain Daddy's Milk & Honey. I was told this was more plot based, and I was so tempted when I heard the rundown. (a true mate situation where the H is widowed from an OW (previous marriage) and asked his mate to come and care for his infant son after the OW is killed in childbirth) YUM!
Winona met Lord Avandair a couple-ish years earlier where he told her she was his mate and then flew off. The book picks up with her being told that she’s been sold as his maid by her evil father. There’s little world building, but we’re told the humans view the gargoyles as monsters.
The beginning is slow. They don’t meet again until 21% and aren’t even together until 44%, but the BIGGEST disappointment was that they never really discussed the fact that he married someone else AND stayed married after he met her and knew she was his mate.
“I waited until you were of age,” he says. “And then some more until my wife was gone from the world. The timing never seemed to be right.”
I wanted more, I mean, she’s not even a teensy weensy upset or hurt that he married and had a child with another woman who he probably wouldn’t have left had she not died even knowing Winona was his fated mate.
It’s also not sexy smut. If you can get over her sharing her boobs with him and his son, you’ll still need to deal with this flavor of erotica.
Then the gargoyle unloads a wet spray of seed into my unprotected pussy, drenching my sex in his vital essence.
I FINALLY mustered up the energy to finish this book/series/universe... and now can put my entire A.H. reading experience to rest. This is going to beI FINALLY mustered up the energy to finish this book/series/universe... and now can put my entire A.H. reading experience to rest. This is going to be quick because if you’re this deep, you know what to expect. I was a smidge disappointed. The series started out so strong but became repetitive, and I really think she could have tied it all up with the previous book because the first 80% was sex and filler.
I’m not really a fan of the writing style. This one didn’t have too many preachy, speechy monologues, but it still has quite a bit of repetitive parts (to make sure we REALLY get what she’s telling us) and the usual plot holes/dropped subplots of side characters that seem to never get closure… all with loads of smirking.
Bottom Line- This was my favorite couple, but I feel like their story dragged on WAY too long. I was pretty bored the first 3/4 of the book with the continued cycle of Lena sassing, sex, and endless sexual innuendos between her and Spyder. The last part picks up, we FINALLY are told what Lucian is (which was a bit uneventful since she just threw it in a convo as the end of the book). The ending was rushed, and several loose ends were left for Lucifer, Zahruk, Alden, Adam, Erie, and Spyder. (Best of luck getting those answers.) BUT I’m happy to put this universe behind me, and I doubt I’ll ever read this author again. I’m blocking Kahleena’s kidnapping, blocking the dropped storylines of the previous books/overlapping series... and am sticking a fork in it. ...more
I hate rating these types of reads. Was it terrible? Not at all. Was it enjoyable? Somewhat. But, to be fair, this really isn't my type of read anymorI hate rating these types of reads. Was it terrible? Not at all. Was it enjoyable? Somewhat. But, to be fair, this really isn't my type of read anymore.
I don’t want to spend a ton of time on this because I’m really behind on reviews. It sounded cool when I read the blurb… angels & demons with soulmates torn apart for thousands of years. It just didn’t shake out how I thought it would.
My issues… ⚫ It had a bit of fluffy feel to it. The H was supposed to be this irredeemable demon, but (to me) he came off broody with a squishy marshmallow center. ⚫The first 60% dragged with the fake boyfriend plot that honestly felt silly. ⚫The world building was shaky for me. I didn’t understand the whole reincarnated element. I liked the idea of her having this “team” that followed her through each life, but why don’t they get to reincarnate? Also, if they’re around, why aren’t they silencing/protecting her from the negative voices trying to keep her unhappy? Also, why wouldn’t the H had been immediately reincarnated when he died, or go to heaven like the h’s “team”? If he was innocent, why was a demon waiting on the other side to tempt him? Being outraged and heartbroken when you die shouldn’t make you evil. So much was left unexplained. ⚫ The plot devices used to move the story along felt very contrived. Like… if Lucy needed to know something, she’d have an informative dream. If she needed to be pushed towards Casziel, she’d get a flashback of her past life. She needs direction, poof she can suddenly hear her dead dad.
Bottom Line- It was OK. I really liked the last 25% but was bored with large chunks of the book and skimmed some. I did like both mc’s and wish they spent more time together trying to find a solution rather than the extended push/pull. I would’ve preferred Lucy experiencing a BAM-ZAP soulmate connection zing instead of dancing around for so long. ...more
I was really looking forward to a rejected mate situation… and it was something new… but SW doesn’t really do feels, so this follows the standard outlI was really looking forward to a rejected mate situation… and it was something new… but SW doesn’t really do feels, so this follows the standard outline… danger/kidnapping, ex-partner drama, a couple bad guys, but nothing heavy. (no angst)
If you’re this deep in the series, you know that she’s very formulaic and readers typically enjoy it or don’t. I’m a huge fan and have read pretty much everything she’s ever released, and I reread them often, but more in a comfort read kinda way.
The book opens with Quinley being rejected by her mate, then it FFW nine years later with her and Isaiah both joining the find your mate dating site. I liked both main characters, and I found their chemistry believable. I loved Quinley’s personality. She was strong while still being calm AND mature, which was a nice change after suffering through annoying Bailey.
I always enjoy new shifter species, but I was confused a bit by the indestructibility of the Black-footed Cat shifter. I know Alex the wolverine can take a beating, but it seemed completely unbelievable.
Bottom Line- Much better than the previous book. IMO the H’s of this series are always a little flat, but this h was the best we’ve had since Bree. There’s a bad guy gang trying to kill them, and the ex-mate comes on the scene around 30%. It looks like she’s setting things up for Elle next book… maybe… I think it could be Joaquin… but I’m hoping it’s Gabriel. My only concern is that I’m SO over her Damian is Beelzebub/anti-Christ, etc., etc. shtick. It was bearable when she was a teenager, but that shits OLD now. I don’t know if I could handle an entire book from her POV. ...more
2.5 Stars This duo can be hit or miss for me. I love their spider series, but I’m an impatient reader and they have a tendency to take thDNF @ 60%/Skim
2.5 Stars This duo can be hit or miss for me. I love their spider series, but I’m an impatient reader and they have a tendency to take the long way to get to the good stuff.
So, I was a smidge apprehensive when I saw this bad boy was 500 pages, but I was digging the beginning. I liked the intro, I liked the wisps (Shade, Echo, and Flare), I like a big jerk, so I was even down with Vex being a butthead. There’s a dub-con situation, but I’ve recently read several prison planet books where women traded sex for protection… and she did agree, so I was even alright with that.
But then I started getting bored around 45% and I can’t do this anymore. I can see were this is going…I skimmed the rest, and I was right.
Bottom Line- Ok, very predictable, and IMHO about 200 pages too long. ...more
**spoiler alert** I wanted to read the next book (Gabe’s) because I saw it mentioned on a rejected mate list, so I decided to read this because it’s s**spoiler alert** I wanted to read the next book (Gabe’s) because I saw it mentioned on a rejected mate list, so I decided to read this because it’s short in case I’d miss something… and the characters overlap, but you could easily read either as a standalone.
I’m writing these after already reading both, and my issues are the same. They’re pretty boring because the characters are so flat that they generate ZERO feeling, attachments, investment. There’s also little world building and some holes.
The book opens with Karly escaping her abusive husband and moving to a new town. We’re told (from H’s POV) that she’s a chevolak (human) and he’s volka (werewolf/shifter).
Things started out fairly exciting with the action above ⬆️, but it slowed down almost immediately because Karly has no idea that volka’s exist and isn’t enlightened until almost the end, so much of the book is spent waiting around for her to catch up (and the inevitable “freak out”). She’s also technically married and hesitant to jump back in, so the relationship barely moves. Add in the matter of fact writing style and I was bored… so very bored.
Bottom Line- This needed more… more action, more development, more worldbuilding, more relationship constructing. Just more. Karly was clueless, and Colton was a limp noodle of an alpha. The last 30% picked up a bit, but it wasn’t enough. I’m not a fan of human/shifter pairings, but drama/feels could’ve been generated by introducing pack politics. Like maybe the elders (this has no real pack dynamic or elders) were pressuring him to mate with a wannabe she-wolf, or others were challenging her, threatening to leave his pack, etc. Then make her superior/stand out by discovering a talent, secret power, a family lineage, or have the alpha be an alpha. Regardless, SOMETHING needed to happen and nothing really did. The freakout finally came, but after fleeing without even a discussion she decides she’s all in out of the blue when she was never all in before. And for some crazy reason after having her ass HANDED to her when she challenged the she-wolf trying to stake a claim on Colton… everyone was suddenly good. ...more
**spoiler alert** I saw this on reddit as a possible rejected mate read (IMO it’s not), so I tracked it down on KU. After the prologue, it jumps to ju**spoiler alert** I saw this on reddit as a possible rejected mate read (IMO it’s not), so I tracked it down on KU. After the prologue, it jumps to just before the bride hunt from the first book.
Neoma is part of the Scullamy pack that was mentioned in Karly’s book. The pack is hated because they’ve tried to take over other packs and are cruel. They’re led by Deacon and Joella (the she-wolf that kicked Karly’s ass then tried to attack her before and after the hunt) is his daughter.
I want to keep this short-ish… the book had issues and I had issues. Like the last book, the female lead has an abusive past, but they’re written so flatly that it kills all potential feels. I also found all the characters so uninspiring it was a struggle to get invested.
Gabe was FURIOUS with Neoma, and I completely understood why, but his attitude felt so immature. I’d have rather him be cruel, but instead he throws rocks at her! Rocks? Like he’s 10. He’s supposed to be so pissed but has her sleeping in his bed and is feeding her.
And Neoma, I get she was desperate, but she (IMHO) was written in a way it was hard for me to feel sorry for her. She wanted ANYONE from a different pack, she didn’t care who it was, so why wouldn’t she just run around and get claimed? Why purposely knock someone out of the way? She had no idea if they were strangers or dating. I wish it would’ve happened by accident like she tripped and fell into her.
It also rubbed me wrong how aggressive and rude she was to Karly (who was trying to be kind) because she didn’t trust or like chevolaks. We’re literally in her head as she’s thinking how unfair it is for the townspeople to hate her merely for being from an enemy pack while she’s doing the exact same thing… being prejudice.
We're supposed to accept that she does all this stuff (stealing someone's mate, growling at people, sniffing for poison while accepting a meal, dragging her son around by his collar) because she's desperate for him to have a life, but then is running from Gabe and dragging her son off to live in the Scruff (loners) with no money, car, or supplies because the grocery store owner was rude to her. (her old pack killed her son) It made zero sense.
Bottom Line- This didn’t work for me. I REALLY struggled with all the characters. The only two I even liked were Marcus and Sebastian and they both had shitty outcomes. I really hope she doesn’t try to give Joella a PR-revamp redemption tour. They never work for me because I can’t accept the I’m hurt so that justifies me hurting innocent people school of thought.
A few random tidbit/inconsistencies/thoughts that won’t fit in the notes….
I haven’t had much luck with this series, but I LOVED Wed to the Lich, so I thought I’d give this author a shot… and it wasn’t great. A hundred pages I haven’t had much luck with this series, but I LOVED Wed to the Lich, so I thought I’d give this author a shot… and it wasn’t great. A hundred pages isn’t a lot to work with, but this was missing a real plot, character development, and sexy smut.
The Plot Is basically, they get married, consummate, then he ignores her for weeks to work on a bill until the trigger event then more sex. That’s it.
Characters I found both mc’s likable, I just wish they spent more time together getting to know each other developing a relationship. I felt like she spent more time with her maid/pa.
Smut This was an epic fail for me. He’s described as a giant ice cube with a ginormous schlong. SO much time and consideration went into him not ripping her in two. He’s so ginormous that his member makes her belly bulge and his cum extends her stomach like she’s pregnant. All I could think was BRRRRR… OUCH… EW.
Bottom Line- Cool cover but this was a miss for me. I like the concept of the series, but the execution was lacking. I still recommend book 8 -- Wed to the Lich. It’s twice as long and has a fully fleshed out romance. ...more
2.5 not-for-Jac- ⭐’s I like this author but think this series just isn’t a good fit for me. I read The King's Spinster Bride and was left feeling much2.5 not-for-Jac- ⭐’s I like this author but think this series just isn’t a good fit for me. I read The King's Spinster Bride and was left feeling much the same… Bored. Like that one, much of the plot is the 3-part mating ritual of showing, tasting and consummating. This one had a teeny bit more plot with her evil father, but it wasn’t much.
The blurb sets this up, Iolanthe is a large woman approaching 30 and undesirable to the eligible bachelors throughout the kingdoms. She’s given up hope of a husband when her father returns announcing he’s made a match. She’s SHOCKED but intrigued to learn that her betrothed, Agakor, is a half-Orc.
The biggest obstacle for me though was getting on board with these characters. Our sons… especially the youngest LOVES Shrek, so I’ve seen the movies about 4082 times over the years. Not to mention, Nickelodeon has played it every day this week while I’m making dinner, so it’s FRESH in my mind and every time I read Agakor getting frisky… I could only picture Shrek which felt ick since he’s filed away in my brain with my kiddos. ...more
I wasn’t going to read this, but it looks like it’s the last one, and I was curious about a couple things and wanted resolution. Unfortunately, this pI wasn’t going to read this, but it looks like it’s the last one, and I was curious about a couple things and wanted resolution. Unfortunately, this pretty much only followed the main couple, and all the subplots were just dropped. **I just realized this is labeled as a standalone, so I’m assuming that’s why everyone else was dropped which is frustrating because we’ve invested three books into these characters to be left hanging… and since this came out 8 years ago… I think that’s it.
So, to me it made ZERO sense that she chose to write book 4 about two characters that we knew almost nothing about (they were only around a couple of scenes in the last book) when there were already established storylines like Damian and Abby or even Xamian and the woman he can’t speak about.
Bottom Line- This wasn’t great for me, maybe I would’ve enjoyed it more if I hadn’t read it with the previous books… but I did… and comparing this to the action, storytelling, maturity of the h, etc. to the other books… it doesn’t even compare, and I found it lacking on every point. And I hate that Damian and Abby’s story was just dropped… so if you do read the series, don’t get too attached to them.
I was so excited for this book because I only made it this far because of Waleron and Delara… and I did enjoy it in an action-packed way, but I was SOI was so excited for this book because I only made it this far because of Waleron and Delara… and I did enjoy it in an action-packed way, but I was SO disappointed from a couple/romance standpoint.
***This will have spoilers from the first two books***
We knew quite a bit of their backstory going in from the first two books… the couple met and had a soulmate type of connection. They had a mate like relationship until he disappeared and was presumed dead for 61 years while he was held/tortured by the evil lilac Jasmine. During that time, Delara mated (maite) with Tarek who abused and almost killed her. He escaped 20 ish years ago and they had makeup sex followed by him telling her he was broken and couldn’t be with/love her anymore. They had a child (h of book 2) from that night that was taken experimented on and rescued last book. (he had no clue) Two years ago (when Balen and Danni were kidnapped book 1) he agreed to stay/sex with witch Trinity for one week in exchange for visions to locate them. This was the breaking point for Delara, and she took off and started sleeping with OM. She only recently returned, and he’s been push/pulling her the first two books… and Tarek is scheduled to be released from Rest soon.
Going in there were a few plot holes that I felt needed to be addressed…
I’ll give this 3⭐’s, but I really only cared about the Waleron/Delara and Damian/Abby story lines. I didn’t care about the main couple Kilter and RaynI’ll give this 3⭐’s, but I really only cared about the Waleron/Delara and Damian/Abby story lines. I didn’t care about the main couple Kilter and Rayne and skimmed read their parts.
This is my issue with these long/multi-book continued storylines… there’s too much going on and authors ALWAYS bring in new couple subplots rather than addressing the original ones.
Bottom Line- Ok, the action was great, and I can’t wait until the next book, but I found the main couple sort of blah. ...more
I picked this up as a freebie years ago, but I see the entire series is currently on KU. I didn’t realize these were not standalones, so FYI. Each booI picked this up as a freebie years ago, but I see the entire series is currently on KU. I didn’t realize these were not standalones, so FYI. Each book has one main couple but several side couple/side conflicts that continue throughout. (multiple POVs)
This is Stygian/Balen and Danni’s book. They bond while both are captured and tortured by an evil vampire when Stygian breaks his society’s (Scars & Wraiths) law to save her. The first chapter opens two years after their rescue.
I was digging the beginning. The prologue sucked me in, I was interested in trying to sort out the world building, and Danni and Balen were both likable enough. BUT then I started to get bored because nothing new was happening. AND then secondary characters started getting dumped into the plot from EVERYWHERE (Jedrick, Hack, Kier, Anstice, Waleron, Delara, Edan, Tor, Damien, Genevieve, Ryker, Hannah, Sandor, etc.) and all their back/side plots… and I was OVERWHELMED and confused trying to figure out what was going on. BUT then I got invested into Waleron and Delara’s subplot and started getting annoyed when we went back to the main couple.
My only complaint is that I disliked the way the author “unveiled” info/back stories which was by scattering breadcrumbs interspersed with other subplots over the entire book. For example, we had a general idea of the law that Balen broke, but we are midway through the book until we know all the details. Personally, I prefer the facts up front, so I know what is going on and this method left me in the dark and disoriented for much of the book.
Bottom Line- OK read, it wasn’t awesome, but there’s something addicting about it that had me flying through these. BUT I was only into some of the numerous things going on, so I ended up skimming the parts I wasn’t interested in. ...more
What a pleasant surprise! I’m always hesitant to read RH, poly, menage stuff because I feel like authors use it as a device to add smut/kinky multi-paWhat a pleasant surprise! I’m always hesitant to read RH, poly, menage stuff because I feel like authors use it as a device to add smut/kinky multi-partner sex rather than developing an actual relationship/chemistry between the participants, but that isn’t the case here at all.
At the beginning I was a smidge nervous this might be author soapbox-y (I read for fun and am not interested in being lectured), but other than a small whiff of negative religion stereotyping (that they’re judgmental assholes) … it wasn’t too preachy.
The book opens with Manon on the run from the evil religious townsfolk and their prejudiced priest that is intent on burning her alive for engaging in sexual acts with others and drawing pictures about it. (the tipping point was the priest’s niece) Running from something growly, she seeks refuge in a cabin and meets the H’s, wolfmen Bastian and Aimon. And what follows is a lovely portrayal of Bastian and Aimon’s relationship and how Manon is woven into it.
My only complaint is I struggled getting a firm grip on the worldbuilding. It reads like it is taking place in historical France… maybe… based on the close-minded townsfolk that believe sex is bad and witches should be burned at the stake. But it also has some paranormal tidbits that didn’t really flow with that “world” and wasn’t consistent.
For instance, we’re told she’s a powerless witch, then told the church merely labels women that enjoy pleasure witches, but then one of the dudes is talking about having a spell cast on him by an actual witch that caused a rash and smoky ass, but again later we’re told witches aren’t really magic rather practice actions and intentions.
Confused? I was… Also, the H’s are two wolfmen that Manon is SHOCKED to see, but later they’re talking about being in a pub. Where is this pub? Is it a supernatural pub? Do all the magical/monster creatures just hang out together hiding from humans? Is she a witch or just a human? How did these two wolfmen come to be? Do they have a pack? Parents?
Was it a huge deal?—No. Was it distracting?—Yes. Did it get in the way of my “picturing” the story?—Yes.
Bottom Line- This was honestly one of the best representations of a polyamorous relationship that I’ve read… and she did it in less than 70 pages!! Granted I haven’t read a ton from the genre, but the relationships were well developed, the dudes had distinctive personalities that didn’t blend together, and they communicated the potential change to their established relationship… in a nutshell, they weren’t just boinking. There was a smutty vibe throughout, but I never doubted their feelings for each other. It was surprisingly tender especially since this is monster erotica. Bravo. ...more
I’m a fan of this author, I loved most of her Horde King series. She’s fantastic with world building and character development… and I really liked DesI’m a fan of this author, I loved most of her Horde King series. She’s fantastic with world building and character development… and I really liked Desire in His Blood … but this was just missing something.
I really thought with the setup (view spoiler)[ meeting his blood mate just before announcing his politically motivated engagement (hide spoiler)] that this would pack an emotional punch, but it was lacking in the angsty drama department.
There were also long stretches where nothing was really going on but filler (cooking, cabin refurbishing, etc.) and when the “action” finally came, IMO it came about from TSTL/clueless decisions that didn’t fit for “street smart”/resourceful individuals we are supposed to believe should be leading people. Neither of them saw that coming when they knew the other family were spying, threatening, and attempting to manipulate the situations??!! And don’t get me started on how these individuals were “dealt with” … at the very least they should’ve gone to prison. What kind of example did they show? Especially with the two commoners from the town… that was silly.
Bottom Line- Love the author but wasn’t impressed with this one. The strong h came off weak, and the badass H came off as a wimpy martyr. I didn’t feel the chemistry or passion like the first couple who couldn’t keep their hands off each other despite “hating” each other, and there was too much filler with housework crap. The decision came too late for me, and it was pretty much forced on him by other’s actions rather than him being a man and standing up for his woman. (view spoiler)[ Why would he subject his soulmate to the same fate as Ruaala if he loved her so deeply? (hide spoiler)] Then the way he dealt with those other’s actions made him look even weaker and made me feel like he just wasn’t that into her… addicted to her scent and blood--yes, but I wasn’t feeling obsessed love. It was all very bland, and I started skimming. I will definitely continue with the series, but this one was a dud... much like the Mad King book. ...more
I realize 79 pages isn’t much to work with, but this had no real plot… and the smut wasn’t hot. They meet, have sex, more sex, small action-- that's rI realize 79 pages isn’t much to work with, but this had no real plot… and the smut wasn’t hot. They meet, have sex, more sex, small action-- that's raced through, more sex. No buildup, no drama- everyone is nice and accepting of the human, the characters were flat… no emotions… loads of telling instead of showing… it was all so drab.
Bottom Line- Not great—not terrible. Just bland. I still recommend the 8th (Lich) book, but I haven’t been super impressed with the others. ...more
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