Did that really just happen?!?!?! Whaaaaat!!! I'm in total shock right now.... Review to come, eventually.
Review:
Actual rating: Do you even need to ask at this point?! My love affair with this series is out of control!! So, it's five stars, duh!!
You know, I suck at reviews for books I fangirl over. This one is no exception to that. I was sooooo nervous going into this one. You see, I didn't start this series until fairly recently, and I'm just barely catching up. So the reviews for this one were coming out as I was a few books back. I saw the 2 and 3 star reviews coming from self-professed KD addicts. I thought, "Will I hate it too?!"
I am so very happy to report that alas, my love affair continues!!!! I'm not sure what most people's main issue with this book was (I stayed away from reviews before I'd read the book and then written mine), but I didn't see any flaws. I loved watching Kate and a certain badass bad guy I love and find incredibly sexyI'm supposed to hate. He's just too perfect, what can I say!! I was so conflicted rooting for and against him at the same time. LOL. Curran is missing for a portion of the book, which only made me froth at the mouth over the bad guy that much more angst filled.
Ahh we get into so much more of Kate's background, and where she comes from. I freaking adore her!!!! When Curran comes back into the picture, I can't decide who turns me on more, him or the bad guy I fall in love with Kate and him even more.
That ending...
Wowwwweeeee!!! I can honestly say I never, NEVER saw that one coming!!!!! Yet another addition to the favorites shelf!!! Ilona Andrews, you're taking over my favorites shelf!!!! ;0)...more
Ugh. I forgot what a painful book this can be. My originally rating stands, and of course I loved it...it's Kate Daniels, duh!! Second read July 2015.
Ugh. I forgot what a painful book this can be. My originally rating stands, and of course I loved it...it's Kate Daniels, duh!! I had somehow forgotten the pain Kate was in in this book...and that ending...God!!!
That was one serious emotional roller coaster...but I loved it!!!! Review to come.
Review:
Actual rating: 5 head over heels, adoring stars!! No story spoilers.
Dear Kate Daniels world,
I was slightly afraid to read this one, due to some of the negative reviews. But alas, I was beyond let down!! This one finds Kate, Curran, and the gang in a very precarious position. One that was packed full of angst and fear for the reader. I hated watching what everyone had to go through, and I hated watching Kate struggle. There's some serious heartache in this one!!! Not to mention the rage I felt!!!!
With every book, we get to see Kate develop more. I'm loving watching her blossom into the badass I freaking adore!!! In addition we get to watch Kate and Curran...just love them!!!!
I believe I warned you a while back that I cannot do anything but give you glowing, squee filled reviews on this series. I'm incapable of coherent thought and critique when it comes to these books. They are my kryptonite. I'm sorry. I got nothing else for ya...
These are by far and away my most favorite books in the history of evvvvver!!! Loved the reread!!!
First read August 2014:
InitialSecond read July 2015:
These are by far and away my most favorite books in the history of evvvvver!!! Loved the reread!!!
First read August 2014:
Initial thoughts: Wow. Yet again, wow. How is this possible? How does every book get better than the last?! I don't understand it, but I don't care! I'm in love!! A full squee-filled, fangirling review to come!
Review:
★★★★★★★★★★
Actual rating: AAAALLLLLL the stars!!!!! No spoilers, but serious gushing ahead.
Ahhhhhh.... Are you sick of these reviews yet? I really am sorry, but I don't have anything else for you!!
Ok, ok, ok...I'll attempt some semblance of coherent thought and an actual, real review.
Soooo...this book showers a lot of light on a few different aspects of the story. We get to learn another little glimmer of what Kate is. In addition, we get to watch her continue to blossom into her role in the Pack. It pained me to see her question certain things, because I already knew in my heart the answer to the things she was struggling with. Watching her grow as a person is a really fun experience!! While I've seriously loved delving into the novellas and getting some other POVs, it's Kate I truly adore. She's everything a lead female should be!!
With every book I pick up in this series, I think to myself: Wow! That was such an amazing book!! There's no way the next one could be ANY better!! And thennnnnn....IT IS!!!! How?! It's a constant battle for me to break up reading the books back to back (something I never do because I don't want series burn out). But with every book I'm away from Kate and the crew, I long for it. I think about it nonstop. I push through the other books to come back to them!!! Magic Slays, welcome to the favorites shelf!!
I loved it even more the second time!!! My first review still stands.
First read August, 2014:
Initial thoughts: Holy crapoly!!!! Perfection, for the second (and I'm sure not the last) time in this series!!! I'm hooked. A full-on fangirling review to come...
Review:
Actual rating: There are truly not enough stars in this galaxy to adequately rate this book, and this series!!! No spoilers.
This series...
I just...
Aaaghhhh!!! I am one serious fangirl over this series!!! The last book sucked me in, but if there was any question of my devotion to this series, this book sealed the deal.
I've only ever fangirled and felt this way over a series one other time, with Daughter of Smoke & Bone. Unfortunately, that series was only three books long, with one novella. And I started that series when the first book came out, making the waits between the other two long and difficult. This series, on the other hand, has a lot more books and novellas, and I started it with 6 books ahead of me (now the 7th is out).
I am so head over heels in love with this series, I can't do anything but squee and fangirl over it. Get used to it, because this is pretty much how the rest of the books in the series will be reviewed. This series is now my crack!!!!
Do yourself a favor and start this series now if you haven't already. Now!!!! What are you waiting for!!!!
...and with that, onto the favorites shelf it goes......more
Definitely better the second time around, which I have no idea how it could be better seeing as I loved it so much the first time. ThReread June 2015.
Definitely better the second time around, which I have no idea how it could be better seeing as I loved it so much the first time. This remains a five plus star read, and it stays on the favorites shelf. Loved. It!!!!
Initial read August 2014:
Initial thoughts: Perfection!!!!! Review to come.
Review:
Actual rating: ALL the stars!!!!!! No spoilers.
This book...
This world...
I can't even...there's no amount of words for me to appropriately depict my strong love for this world!!!
Kate is such a badass heroine!!! I adore her. Curran is...infuriatingly sexy... The side characters rock. The world is just delightful!!!
This book had so much Greek mythology in it, I was in heaven!!!! Of course some bad shit is happening, you know that before even starting the book. Why? Because it's Kate. She's always involved in some bad shit.
I won't even attempt to further describe this book, or my feelings on it. I'll simply start gushing. I'm sorry I can't give you a real review!! I'm a hopeless cause. Just...READ THIS SERIES NOW, if you haven't already that is!!!
I enjoyed this better the second time around. I think it has a lot to do with the fact that I read instead of did the audiobook. I lReread June 2015.
I enjoyed this better the second time around. I think it has a lot to do with the fact that I read instead of did the audiobook. I love this series!!
Review for first read February 2014.
Four stars.
I've put off reviewing this for some time. I don't even know what to say or how to review it.
This was my first ever audio book. I listened to it exclusively while driving to (and from sometimes) work. You can't take notes like that. I have difficulty with focusing on things at times, so sometimes I'd find myself thinking about the car in front of me, cussing out the asshat that cut me off, or...ooh...shiny object!!! I feel bad for the book because I think if I'd read it, this review and rating would be different and better.
I enjoyed the story. The first book left me dumped into the most confusing world on magic I've ever experienced. I felt lost so much and struggled to understand what the hell the authors were trying to explain. I had to re-read sections multiple times, and the story was choppy. By this book, I'm understanding the world a bit better, but not totally yet. I was told by several people before walking into this series that I'd struggle with the first two, but by book three it takes off. I can sense that.
I enjoyed meeting some new characters, especially Julie. I'm not sure how this will affect Kate in the future, but it was nice to see a softer side to her. I'm excited to continue the series and will be reading the next book. That way I can be closer to the story, and do it the justice it deserves. ...more
I have no idea how it's possible, but I loved it even more my second time through!!! I will even go so far as to say that tSecond read September 2015.
I have no idea how it's possible, but I loved it even more my second time through!!! I will even go so far as to say that this may just be my favorite book that I've read up until this point. Yes, it's that perfect. The writing is stellar. The story is superb. The suspense is killer. Mark is just amazing. I loooooove this book!!!!
Review for first read April 2014:
Actual rating: Where is the sixth star? Wait, what? I can only give this UP TO FIVE?! But it deserves mooooore!! Ok, ok…I'll give it five then!! Any spoilers will be clearly marked.
Initial Thoughts: Wow...amazing...ummmm...I seem to be lacking the ability for intelligent speech at this point. I'm too busy running through the gamut of feels this book (and especially the last 30%) put me through. Review to come...
Review:
I stalled writing this review for a couple of weeks. This was one of those books that so deeply affected me, and I fell such in love with, that I'm going to struggle with giving it the review it deserves.
So we start this endeavor with Mark being left behind on Mars. Him and his crew were attempting to do their mission when they were hit by a crazy wind storm. It is believed by the crew that Mark was dead. The crew, and especially the captain, were beyond NOT ok with leaving him, but it was that or the rest of them being killed too. So they left. Mark…well…he wasn't dead. Imagine for a second…you are the only human being on a planet, without any way to communicate with Earth…a very limited food supply…limited water� What do you do? Me, I would despair and probably take the easy way out. Not Mark!! Nooooo…he was presented with fucking catastrophe after catastrophe, and he persevered. Most of the time, he even stayed calm in the face of what the rest of us would be screaming HOLY FUCK I'M GOING TO DIEEEEEE!!!!!
I loved Mark!! He's my new book boyfriend. He's a nerd. He's funny. And in my head, he's damn sexy too, cuz nerds are sexy! :-P His sense of humor had me cracking up when I knew it wasn't really a funny situation. I'm not sure how Weir turned this crazy sci-fi book into a comedy, but he did. Sci-fi isn't my genre…but a friend that I trust told me to request this because it was good, so I did, without knowing what I was walking into. I put off reading it because I kept thinking I wouldn't like it. Boy, was I wrong!! Allow me to introduce you to Mark's sense of humor:
My asshole is doing as much to keep me alive as my brain.
Hell yeah I'm a botanist! Fear my botany powers!
A space pirate!!
The rover and the trailer regulate their own temperatures just fine, but things weren't hot enough in the bedroom. Story of my life.
I admit it's fatally dangerous. But consider this: I'd get to fly around like Iron Man.
Weir kept me on the edge of my seat!! There were moments I couldn't breathe and found myself with palpitations. When I finished the book, it was late at night, and I couldn't sleep because I was too amped up on adrenaline. Just when I thought Mark was safe, something else went wrong. Even in the last 20 pages of the book, I had no idea how it was going to end!!
This was a very technical, sciency-type book. But that worked for the story. Some parts were so complicated, I had to re-read. But it wasn't bad at all. It flowed well. The Martian has earned a spot on my favorites shelf, and I can see myself rereading this in the future. I highly recommend this one!! I'll leave you with one of my favorite quotes ever, which I found in this book:
If a hiker gets lost in the mountains, people will coordinate a search. If a train crashes, people will line up to give blood. If an earthquake levels a city, people all over the world will send emergency supplies. This is so fundamentally human that it's found in every culture without exception. Yes, there are assholes who just don't care, but they're massively outnumbered by the people who do. And because of that, I had billions of people on my side.
This quote made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside (which is a rarity in this cold-hearted bitch). I love, LOVE, LOVE this book!!!!!!
An ARC was provided through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. ...more
I really enjoyed my reread of this one. I'm familiar with the world now, so the confusion I felt on my first time through wasn't hReread in June 2015.
I really enjoyed my reread of this one. I'm familiar with the world now, so the confusion I felt on my first time through wasn't here this time. The story flowed, I was able to focus on plot points instead of trying to learn this foreign world. I highly recommend this one be reread!!! I'm going with 4 stars this time around.
Review for first read February 2014:
Actual rating 3.5 stars. No spoilers.
So I know a lot of people love, adore, and worship this series. I'm actually sort of afraid of having random crap thrown at me for not absolutely loving this book. LOL. I was warned about this book's weaknesses, so I didn't hate them. I didn't mind being dumped into the world without much guidance. But what I didn't like was the terribly complicated descriptions of magic and different species and what not. Around half way through, I noticed I was scowling and had developed a headache from concentrating so hard. In addition, I had to re-read several parts because I'd get to the end of a section, and think What in the hell did I just read?! I don't remember a word!! This made for a choppy reading experience. I didn't feel like I flowed through the book.
With that being said, I didn't hate it. I plan to continue to the series as I am intrigued about where this ride will take me. Plus, I want to see why everyone just loves Curran. Currently, both Kate and Curran are assholes. I know that will change. The first book in a series is often a tough one to love, so I have no harsh feelings against this one. I am looking forward to finding out what's so different about Kate, something they alluded to several times....more
Loved it more the second time!!! So excited to start the sequel!!! :-D
Buddy read with Athena. Should any spoilers arise, they wReread September 2018:
Loved it more the second time!!! So excited to start the sequel!!! :-D
Buddy read with Athena. Should any spoilers arise, they will be clearly marked.
A solid four stars.
This was such a fun book!! The idea was sorta, kinda original and it had a definite comic book feel to it. I'm not a fan of comic books per say, but I do really enjoy villains superheroes. Having a superhero would also mean we need a villain. This is where I struggled. Who is the hero? Who is the villain? Victor and Eli start out as friends, but that definitely changes. I enjoyed watching from the sidelines as their hatred for each other developed and blossomed. But, were either of them truly good people even prior to becoming EOs?
As I read through, I kept trying to decide who I was rooting for. Like I said, I couldn't decipher who the good or the bad guy was. At the end, I'm still not really sure. But what I found at the end is that it doesn't matter who is good and who is bad. That's not the point of the story. I've since let that go. And now…I'm sitting here thinking Victoria Schwab just HAS to write a sequel to this!!!
I loved Sydney and Dol!!! They were by far my favorite characters!!! (view spoiler)[ A piece of my heart broke off and started to die when Dol died for a second time!! My stomach clenched when I thought Sydney was going to get shot again by Eli!! (hide spoiler)]
This was my first V. Schwab book, and I'm definitely planning to read more by her. She has a wonderful mind and great skill at writing! What a fun story!! Miss Schwab--YOU JUST MUST WRITE A SEQUEL TO THIS!!! I NEED IT!!! PUHHHHLEEEEAZEEEEE!!!!!!!! Sorry about that minor temper tantrum…I've been really struggling to contain it!!
If you haven't read this book, I suggest you do so…now......more
Reread April 2015: Rating changed from 5 stars to 4 stars.
My first read of this had me feeling like it was perfection. I'm a more criticalReread April 2015: Rating changed from 5 stars to 4 stars.
My first read of this had me feeling like it was perfection. I'm a more critical reader now, so I did find things that annoyed me. I still love the storyline, and I find it dark and entrancing. It's remaining on the favorites shelf, for now.
Review for first read November 2013: That was an amazing ride!!! I wasn't expecting to be as into that book as I ended up being. Susan Ee made me care about those characters in a way I wasn't expecting, especially with Raffe. The story was well thought out, the characters were easy to love, I could feel myself right there in Penryn's world. I am soooo looking forward to the next book! I can't wait to see what is in store for Penryn and my newest fav, Raffe!!...more
Actual rating: 5 I-Wish-I-Could-Give-More stars. No story spoilers.
This book makes me happy!!!
This book reminds me why I love reading!!!
This book is perfection!!!
I was in love the first time I read this. I'm not sure how I loved it more the second time, but I did. Even when I knew what was coming, I was enamored. I devoured it, twice!!!
David and the gang are so much fun!! They each have their redeeming qualities, with the exception of one. I hear a lot of people saying this is a Superhero book, but it honestly doesn't feel that way to me. Why, you ask? Because the "Superheroes" are the bad guys, so it just won't fit in my head like that. I also don't feel like this is a YA book, for the most part. David experiences a very traumatic event at a young age and spends the next ten years gearing up for his revenge. He joins the team of Reckoners that battle back against the evil Epics. This book doesn't lack action. I was never bored. I was never distracted. And I never wanted to put this down!! I can't wait for the next installment!!!!
Review for first read in October 2013:
Wow...if I had to use one word to sum up this book that would be it. I was totally engrossing from page one!!!! I tore through this book in two days. I struggled to put it down and when not reading, I was thinking about the characters and their world. It's been a long time since I was as into a book as this one. I cannot wait for the second book!!!!!!!! I will wait for that one before I say this is one of my favorite stories. I highly recommend this book!!! It will be hard for the next book I read to even come close to this one!!...more
If I could, I'd give more than 5 stars. No spoilers, only gushing fangirl love.
Exquisite. Beautiful. Amazing. I can't Re-read February to April 2014.
If I could, I'd give more than 5 stars. No spoilers, only gushing fangirl love.
Exquisite. Beautiful. Amazing. I can't even begin to put my thoughts and feelings on this masterpiece of a book!!!!! Never have I read such beautiful works as this series!! When I decided to re-read these in preparation for the third book, I was slightly scared. It had been a few years, and my reading tastes and thoughts have changed. I was afraid I wouldn't love it as much. If anything, I appreciate it's beauty more now than I did the first time through.
This book was a bit darker than the first, and that's ok. It fit this book. I truly could never do a justifiable review, so I won't even attempt it. I am starting the next book tomorrow...actually, in about a half hour. I'm as excited as a kid on Christmas morning!!!! If you haven't already, you must READ THESE BOOKS!!!! That is all. ...more
Aaaalllllllll the stars!!!! Any spoilers will be clearly marked.
The second time around was just as glorious! This book Re-read January/February 2014.
Aaaalllllllll the stars!!!! Any spoilers will be clearly marked.
The second time around was just as glorious! This book is on my favorites shelf for a reason. It's a truly magical story to me!! No review I write could ever do it justice. There isn't a single thing about this book that I don't love!! I am a true fangirl over this series!! I'll leave some feels, since I am at a loss for words.
Initial thoughts (see below for review): Woweeeee...is it possible that I liked thisGroup reread with my crazed Fever girls starting December 1, 2014.
Initial thoughts (see below for review): Woweeeee...is it possible that I liked this more the second time through?! I'll attempt a better review soon.
Review for reread December 2014:
Actual rating: 5 This-Book-Is-A-Fucking-Masterpiece stars!!! No story spoilers.
I don't even know where to begin...
As I mentioned in my first review below, the feels I had in this book were amazing!! I was all over the place with my various emotions!!!
Gaaaah!!!! I don't really have much to add to what I wrote below in my initial review. I will say that this was EVEN BETTER my second time through!!! I'm not really sure how that's possible, but it happened!!! This is one of those series that really is a mandatory reread. The first time through, you miss so much being so focused on *drool* Barrons!! Yes, I was focused on him the second time through, but I was able to pick us on a lot of detail I failed to see the first time through.
...and with this second read, it's going on my favorites shelf!!!
Review for first read in January 2014:
I will clearly mark any spoilers in this review.
I've enjoyed books most of my adult life, but didn't become the avid reader I am today until a few years back. I started this series before I became as addicted to books as I am. I was still "finding my place," if you will and had a sort of identity crisis when it comes to the types of books I enjoyed reading. I think it's because of this that the first three books were only three stars for me. At some point, I will reread them.
This book was a fucking masterpiece!!! The emotion I felt while reading this is something I don't get to experience as much as I'd like to. I felt rage, anger, sadness, giddiness, happiness, passion, love, depression, excitement, and utter joy. It was a roller coaster, but one I am sad to say has ended. Throughout the series, we've had numerous questions that come up. This book answered all the major ones for me. We get to watch Mac become someone we'd all love to meet. She's spectacular!! The world building is just epic for the series, but I felt more pulled into this book than the others.
(view spoiler)[ I knew the story between Mac and Barrons would continue to evolve in this book. But I really wasn't expecting the love story that came out of it. I FREAKING LOVED THAT!!! KMM caught me by surprise there. I also didn't see the love story between the UK and the concubine AKA the Seelie Queen transpiring the way it did. I did not expect to have the emotions for their relationship that I ended up developing!! (hide spoiler)]
I cannot even put into words the love I have for this book!!! I read that after KMM writes another I think it was 2 books in the Dani saga, she will return to this original storyline for another two books. Color me PSYCHED!!!! You must read this series....the final two books are gorgeous!!!! ...more
I had to get this review started off right!! Barrons is a driving passion in this series!! He's scrumptious. He's delightful. He's infuriating. He's sexy. He's an asshole. He's amazing. He. Is. It.
Soooooo...anywho...I suppose you'd like some info other than Barrons. I'll try...but I'm not making any promises.
The last book really left us dangling on a cliff. You dive into this one where the last one left off, thankfully. Mac isn't in a good place. The things that happen are sorta ugly (ok not sorta, REALLY ugly). We see a Mac that makes us ache inside for her.
Chapters four and five are chapters that any Fever freak will tell you are just amazeballz!!!! Prepare yourself...
Barrons does things that I've read other reviewers slightly angry over. Me, I harbor no hard feelings over what he did. His heart (uh huh, he has one) was in the right place. If it wasn't for Barrons, Mac would be something completely different. He literally saved her life. It doesn't matter how he went about it, he got the job done. And it was reeeeeeally fun being a bystander watching THAT go down!!
I noticed on my reread that I was able to see things quite differently. I focused more on things that I failed to see my first time through. This series was always (and it really still is) about Barrons for me. So much so that I failed to see a lot of other things going on. The most glaring one is the evolution of Mac. I don't think she got enough stage time for me the first time through. But I really noticed her this time!! I love Mac!! Always have. This time I was able to watch just how amazing she is becoming!!!
So if you thought the cliffhanger at the last one was rough...this one is WAAAAAAY worse!!! Have the next book ready!!
I've changed my rating from 3.5 to 4.5 stars. I very much enjoyed my reread of this!!!
Review for initial read December 2013:
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
Best book in the series so far!!!!! Loooooove Barrons with the same burning passion all my fellow female readers have and insanely enjoyed him in this book. I was warned there was a major cliffie at the end of this one and by gaaaawd was there ever!!!! I'm looking forward to the next book and finding out where this story takes me. I definitely enjoyed this ride!!! ...more
Wowwwweeeee!!! Even though I knew what was going to happen, that conclusion of the book gave me some serious anxiety!! I originally rated this three stars. I liked it better the second time!!! Looking forward to continuing my reread!! Review to come.
Annnnnd now I'm spent!!
Review for reread November 2014:
Actual rating: 4.5 This-Is-The-Beginning-Of-The-End stars!!! No story spoilers.
I feel like this book is a huge turning point in the story, for so many reasons. This book...this one right here could have taken the series one of two ways: A) a train wreck that we all drive by and grieve for the dead people, or B) the start of an addiction to this world and series that we can't get enough of. For me, it was B. This book becomes soooo dark!!! It's sorta like the fifth Harry Potter, where everything starts to change. In a good way of course. I found myself getting sucked in hardcore, much to my own fighting. Which I did, I tried to fight KMM getting her clutches in me. But alas, she won the battle...AND the war!!
My reasons for feeling this is a turning point are many. Most of which I cannot share here because as is the theme with this series, a lot becomes spoilery. What I will tell you is this one is the start of the strong Mac that we all love. I am in the camp of loving her from the beginning. But I love her more as we go through the series.
Even knowing what was coming at the end, my pulse quickened, I kept gasping and cringing, wanting to turn the page but afraid of what the next page would reveal. I was on the edge of my seat! I kept hoping somehow some magic would happen and the ending would somehow be different. Dream on, Shandra!!
Have book four ready when you finish this one. You're gonna be ready to dive in quickly and NEED to know what happens!!!! I originally rated this three stars...but as I've already said in previous reviews, I was different then. Don't hold that against me!!...more
Initial thoughts: I was a different person when it comes to books the first time I read the first Buddy read with this amazing, crazy group of people.
Initial thoughts: I was a different person when it comes to books the first time I read the first three in this series. I enjoyed this so much more the second time!! I'll attempt a review soon-ish.
Review for reread November 2014:
Actual rating: 4 I'm-So-Happy-I-Reread-This stars!!! No story spoilers.
Well...I'm guilty. I'm guilty of procrastinating reviewing books two through five. I'm guilty of not knowing what to say. I'm guilty of not being able to adequately review these books. I'm guilty of falling in love with Jericho Fucking Barrons.
*sigh* So I feel like I just keep repeating myself, and I probably am. I'm sorry. It just is what it is. I read books one through three a while back. When I was a different Shandra when it came to books. I initially rated this three stars, back when I was generous with stars. Which would've translated to a two now. I failed to see the epicness in these pages. I focused on the negatives. Yes, there are flaws. Especially in the first three books. It's a new world, what does one expect. What I didn't like MOST was the whole Death-by-Sex Fae bit. And I still don't. But if we are talking flaws here, that's fairly minor when you take a step back and look at the entirety of the book and series. The characters are dark, gritty, troubled, flawed, epic, amazing!! The world building is HOLYFUCKHOWDOIEVENDESCRIBEIT!!!!!!! The love story is...hahahahaha...just read it!!! Yes, there's one massive love story here!!!
I've changed my rating to four stars this time. I did so because I found all the positives glaring at me MUCH MORE than I did the first time through. It's not perfect. It's flawed. Mac is flawed. And some of the minor annoyances detract from a five star rating for me. I'm so so so happy I thoroughly enjoyed it this time through!!! And I'm beyond happy I decided to reread it!!! My group is pretty freaking awesome, and that adds to the experience of this read! I've had a blast with this reread!!...more
Initial thoughts (see below for review): Well, this was my second time through. I'm a very different reader than the firGroup re-read November 2014.
Initial thoughts (see below for review): Well, this was my second time through. I'm a very different reader than the first time I read it. However, I did accurately recall how I felt reading this the first time. It's confusing, and beyond difficult to explain. So I'll get to a review at some point. Until then, just know I enjoyed it and have missed Mac...and...BARRONS!!!
Review for Reread November 2014:
Actual rating: 3.5 I'll-Never-Be-Able-To-Adequately-Explain-My-Feelings stars. No story spoilers.
As I said in my initial thoughts, I was a much different reader my first time through. I wasn't on GoodReads back then, and choosing books to read was difficult and I based it on much different factors than I do now. I originally read this in 2012. I was about a month away from taking our (first and hopefully not last) trip to Ireland. I had the first generation Nook. It was difficult to search for books. Iced came across my radar, and I liked the description. I discovered there were five books before it. So I dove in.
Something that's the same about now as then is that I'm not a huge fan of romance or massive amounts of sex in books. I can handle the romance as a secondary plot, and once I fall in love with the story, world, and characters, I'm rooting for them to get some action going. Then I'm in love and absolutely down for the smutty stuff!!! However, as a main plot line, I wanna barf on the book. My first read of this had me struggling. I remember wanting to ditch the book. This was back in the days I didn't know how to DNF. I refused to put it down. I'm grateful for it because I ended up loving the series!!!
My second read of this wasn't a whole lot different, as far as those initial feelings go. I will chalk it up to first book in a series syndrome. I did enjoy it much more the second time through!!
I feel like almost the entire GR planet has read this series, but I'll tread lightly for those few that haven't. Mac is the MC and I freaking love her!!! From the beginning to the end. She's amazing!!! Pink is my favorite color. I like Mac 1.0, as much as I like her later versions. She changed and evolves, but she's never anything that doesn't just have my adoration. She's cute, she's pretty, she's brave, she's everything I love in a lead character!!
Shall we talk about the world? KMM weaves a fantastic world!! She makes me feel like it's so realistic!! I find myself lost here. There's a lot about the Fae, so I'm in heaven there. I really can't do the world building justice, so I'm just gonna stop there.
BARRONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'll just leave it at that...
I'm not usually into the whole alpha male bit, but KMM:
I'm very much looking forward to the rest of my reread!!!...more
I really do love this series and each book in it more each time I read it!!!! This book doesn't suffer the middle book syndromThird reread March 2016:
I really do love this series and each book in it more each time I read it!!!! This book doesn't suffer the middle book syndrome that so many others do. It's even better than the first book, which I have no idea how since that one was sooooo good to begin with!! Love, love, love this book!!!
Re-read scheduled to start July 1st 2014. Buddy read with:
All the stars for the second read!!! I loved it even more this time!!!! Such a beautiful book!! I can't wait for the long awaited third book next week!!!! Eeeeek!!! Review to come, eventually. ;0)
Review for second read July 2014:
Actual rating: 5 stars!!! No spoilers for this book, but there may be spoilers for the first one in the series A Discovery of Witches.
As usual, my words fail me for glorious books...I've been sitting here staring at a blank screen for close to ten minutes.
This book picks up exactly where A Discovery of Witches left off. We discovered that Diana has some seriously cool powers (which are explored even more as the story progresses) at the end of the previous book. We find out she's a time walker, and this book takes place in 1591. I loved the setting for this one!! Matthew continues his possessive and controlling behaviors, but what did you expect? He's a 1500 year old vampire!!! The men in Diana's world in 1591 are what you would expect from men in that time period. I know this has been a complaint from others, but it didn't bother me as I felt it suited the story.
This one was much more entertaining than the previous one, in my opinion. While I felt the first book dragged a decent chunk, this one didn't feel that way at all to me. This was a 622 page book, and not one word felt out of place or unnecessary. There was a lot of history here again, and stories about people that actually existed. I felt like she tied factual history with a fictional story very well. My second read of this book left me much more impressed and satisfied than my first read. I think the older me appreciated this much more than the younger me that read it two-ish years ago.
As I write this review, I've just finished the third and final book in the trilogy. So I'm on a high with this series right now. I totally understand and realize that this series may not be for everyone. But it's certainly a fit for me!!! ...more
Ok, this is going up to five stars. The third read was the most fun of all. I picked up on so much I didn't the last two timeThird read February 2016:
Ok, this is going up to five stars. The third read was the most fun of all. I picked up on so much I didn't the last two times through, and though I did not think it was ever possible, I love it even more!!! I know this will be a book I continue to read over and over in the years to come. I'm looking forward to rereading the next one again!!
Initial thoughts (see below for review): I loved every second and word I spent with this beauty on my second read through. Now that I'm more critical of the books I read, I noticed the minor flaws I initially found even more. I'll attempt a review soon-ish.
I'm not really even sure what to say about this one. This is my second time reading this beauty. My first time through I wasn't on GR and I was less critical. I rated it five stars and added it to my favorites shelf, when I did join GR. While it's still for sure one of my favorites, I changed my rating to a four the second time.
With this being Harkness' debut novel, you already know it won't be perfect. Anytime I read a first book from an author, I'm a little more understanding and forgiving than I would be for someone seasoned. She wrote beautifully her first time through!!
I love all things supernatural. We have witches, daemons, vampires!!! Plus, we spend loads of time in a library with books!! l Loved it!!! The love story may seem sudden at first, but by the end she explains why it was so sudden. She gets a bit wordy at times, but a good majority of it is needed and helpful to the story. I'm sure she could've slimmed it down to a could hundred pages shorter, but the characters and world wouldn't have been as hashed out. The characters feel real, and she does a fantastic job world building!!
Diana Bishop is the lead female character. She's a witch. A very powerful witch that doesn't realize her talents. She meets Matthew, a vampire, in the library after she'd summoned a very important book from that stacks. A book that she had no knowledge of it's degree of importance. Diana becomes targeted and her entire world gets flipped upside down. Matthew is protective, demanding, secretive, and a bit machismo throughout. But he does it for all the right reasons. Give him time, don't hate him, and you'll soon be swooning for him like I did!!
So, in summation, while this book has it's flaws, I feel that it's a strong story. It's original, even though I hear so many comparisons to Twilight. It's soooooooo different from Twilight though. I don't even see the similarities by the end of the book. I think the only things this shares with that story is the fact that we have a vampire, and a love story. The writing is better here. We don't follow a teenage human. There were no daemons, witches, or a special book in Twilight. Give this book a chance. Stick with it, and you'll be rewarded at the end. Trust me!!! It's like a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow!!
Loading...
