There really isn鈥檛 anything to recommend this story. In fact, there are quite a few TSTL and annoying things. But, I enjoy this author鈥檚 humor and somThere really isn鈥檛 anything to recommend this story. In fact, there are quite a few TSTL and annoying things. But, I enjoy this author鈥檚 humor and sometimes the silliness of it all so I keep reading in spite of myself. ...more
I am obviously the odd man out on this one. But, in being so, I have discovered a few things about preferences and the reading world today.
1. T3.5/5.0
I am obviously the odd man out on this one. But, in being so, I have discovered a few things about preferences and the reading world today.
1. The classification of genres and sub-genres are as fluid as fashion trends. What was once considered 鈥済othic鈥� is considerably different than what readers look for as gothic nowadays. I grew up loving the gothic classics like 鈥淭he Woman in White鈥� where the classification meant a dark, brooding, mysterious and sometimes slightly scary mood that inhabits a story. I loved them! Nowadays, that classification is more very dark, medium to intense horror and somewhat to graphically violent. It鈥檚 evolved for sure.
2. Trigger warnings may or may not be particularly useful. Some authors put a trigger warning if a trigger is merely mentioned in passing in their book. For example, if it is even mentioned in the story that a character has been raped the author will stamp a warning on it. While other authors use trigger warnings only when there are serious and graphic illustrations of the subject that might trigger. This leaves a reader either not being able to read many amazing books that might have been just fine - or reading a book where they were expecting something much more mild and end up getting a horrible, nightmarish experience.
And鈥� this book taught me both points! As for the first, this book鈥檚 definition of 鈥淕othic鈥� lands in the latter half. It will work best for those readers who love all things macabre, dark, with characters who are all morally gray, and who enjoy a good horror aspect. Now, I will be the first to extol the talent this author has in writing all those aspects without tipping headlong into the complete horror genre. She expertly tip-toes up to that line but never quite goes over. It is a superb balancing act. As for the second point, this book is one where a reader should absolutely notice and abide by the trigger warnings. They are real and the author is more than honest when listing them.
SO鈥� my take on the story itself? Well, I found the first half of the book really dark and depressing and pretty slow moving. The book is over 600 pages and could easily have had 200 of those pages skimmed down. To give the author credit, it is a very intricate and complex world, with a virtual dictionary鈥檚 worth of new and complicated words for almost everything and everyone. Still, it isn鈥檛 a page turner for sure鈥� until one hits the 60% mark or so. At that point, things really pick up and it becomes a riveting read! Well, until about the 90% mark. Then it spends the rest of the book on smutty sex (both the good and the bad kind). When suddenly, the very last page - nay sentence - kicks you off the cliff and (the author hopes) gives you a driving reason to pick up the next book.
Thus my middling rating. Others who enjoy all things 鈥済othic鈥� or anti-hero (well, anti-all characters), or sexual motivations - both abusive or passionate, will gobble this story up - and that seems to be a very large portion of those who did. They knew what they were looking for. Those of us who can take or leave those things but just opened the book up looking for a riveting story to read may come up closer to my rating....more
This is the first book I have read of Ms. Sheridan鈥檚 that I haven鈥檛 absolutely loved and devoured. I鈥檝e thought long and hard over what the reasons foThis is the first book I have read of Ms. Sheridan鈥檚 that I haven鈥檛 absolutely loved and devoured. I鈥檝e thought long and hard over what the reasons for that could be. All the mechanics are still there - an interesting set-up for our main characters, and the promise of a riveting and somewhat unique plot. So what exactly didn鈥檛 work? Well, nothing specific really, it鈥檚 just that the richly deep and emotional aspects I have come to love in Ms. Sheridan鈥檚 writing aren鈥檛 present in this story鈥� And that鈥檚 the very thing that I love about the author!
The story begins by showing us a bit of the childhood of both Emily and Tuck - two best friends growing up in the idyllic world of Southern California鈥檚 orange orchards. Then, it fast forwards to present day. Tuck is now recently out of prison and Emily has become a famous singer. This part is done beautifully. The writing expertly shows both the good and the bad in both worlds. Tuck is now hardened and can鈥檛 catch a break, Emily is surrounded by sycophants and has become as self-centered yet insecure as celebrity can cause. Emily鈥檚 mother sees Tuck鈥檚 struggles to overcome his past and strong arms Emily into hiring him as a bodyguard. The friction between the two is palpable in a sad way, as both see the other through the eyes of judgement and blame. And, to add insult to injury, Tuck has to deal with Emily鈥檚 movie-star boyfriend!
The true conflict in the story hits, when a catastrophic event happens (trying not to spoil here), the plane they are on goes down and they all discover life as they know it is no more. From there we follow the characters as they must travel from Indiana back to California through various apocalyptic experiences. It鈥檚 interesting鈥� just not riveting. I never really connected with the feelings and emotions beneath the surface. We are told they exist but never really experience it with them. That goes for almost every aspect of the story from then on, as well. It all rides the surface but never really gets under the skin enough that we are truly invested in the outcome and in their relationship.
So, while it is an interesting read, it really doesn鈥檛 rise above the average. And that lack is made more obvious because of the talent this author is truly capable of.
Yep, that鈥檚 three stars. Nope, not a mistake. Yep, I rated the previous two books 4 and 5 stars. I love them both and was SO anticipating this t*Sigh*
Yep, that鈥檚 three stars. Nope, not a mistake. Yep, I rated the previous two books 4 and 5 stars. I love them both and was SO anticipating this third book because Hallie had finally broken free from her horrific family, she had promising opportunities, a good working relationship with the hochlan investigators (well, the ones that matter) with the prospect of a romance brewing with Girard. Sadly that fantastic set-up dwindles to nowheresville. Seriously. While her family are not involved at all in this story, all the other aspects are there and ready鈥�. But absolutely nothing happens. No growth whatsoever - just a so-so side trip kinda mystery. There is really nothing that furthers or deepens the story, the relationships, the understanding, the progress at all! *double sigh*
Cute intro to a new series Ms. Harris and Ms. Stone are collaborating on. Nothing really hits me as amazingly unique or different from other UF seriesCute intro to a new series Ms. Harris and Ms. Stone are collaborating on. Nothing really hits me as amazingly unique or different from other UF series鈥� well, except Eva the adorable puppy. :)...more
What a superb little joy of a read! It鈥檚 quick, sweet, cute, warm and fun! I would highly recommend picking up this little gem, then saving it 4.5/5.0
What a superb little joy of a read! It鈥檚 quick, sweet, cute, warm and fun! I would highly recommend picking up this little gem, then saving it for one of those really bad, horrible days when you desperately need a smile on your face, and a happy sigh in your heart....more
Oh boy鈥� ohhhhhhh boy! What is going on in this story?!?! YIKES! I don鈥檛 even know where to begin there is so much stomach churning, lip biting,4.5/5.0
Oh boy鈥� ohhhhhhh boy! What is going on in this story?!?! YIKES! I don鈥檛 even know where to begin there is so much stomach churning, lip biting, page turning awesomeness going on!
First, I must say this is the second book in the Invisible Collage series and it really isn鈥檛 a standalone. The events take off and rely heavily on that first book (which rated a rare 5 stars from me, as well, btw), so if you haven鈥檛 read that one yet, do it NOW! Then, come back and we鈥檒l talk (because I REALLY need some talking to after this one!)
What has me so worked up? Well, from the first page the suspicions fall heavy over our main characters. The military decides to take a course of action that can and probably will destroy both McKenna and Robinson. In a genius twist by the author, readers are able to see exactly what is happening but with no idea if it is justified or what the outcome of everyone鈥檚 choices will be. That鈥檚 where all that churning, biting, page turning comes in. We love this amazing, sweet, wonderful couple but are watching the intrigues against them play out, with the same suspicions the villains have! It is truly some of the best twisty, turny writing out there today.
So, why not a straight five star rating? One reason and one reason only. That STUPID cliffhanger ending!! It not only shoves us off the cliff, twisting the knife and leaving us gutted where McKenna and Robinson are concerned but it also throws us off another ledge (as a nice epilogue) where the overall story is concerned. The end.
Now, if you are one who can walk away and forget about it for鈥� oh, six months or so (yes, I raced over and looked up when the next book comes out) this book will still be five star heaven. However, for those like myself who NEED at least a little peace and closure where those characters I love and am invested in are concerned - even if the overall arc is tremulously dire - this ending will infuriate you. I literally had to stay up doubly late scrolling stupid cat videos just to calm the brain enough to sleep. Curse you, Mr. Wheeler!...more
Well, that was鈥� dark, and evil, and鈥� well written, especially for a new author. The evil part comes from the devils, demons etc., which were written mWell, that was鈥� dark, and evil, and鈥� well written, especially for a new author. The evil part comes from the devils, demons etc., which were written much more true to life than the usual 鈥渄emons who are really good underneath it all鈥� trope. These are truly as horrid and despicable as true religious lore would have. They delight in the most vile and horrible human atrocities and do their best to sink people into them. In this the author did a superb job. She didn鈥檛 sugar coat yet she kept it just above atrocious yet believable. The dark aspects come in the graphic nature and the overall mood of the story as a whole. There is a 鈥渞omance鈥� but it is more just sex. That instant attraction thing that constitutes the love aspect doesn鈥檛 really make sense until the very end of the book, so would that even be considered romance?
SOPE, while this book is not my cup of tea, I do have to acknowledge the talent in the writing....more
Every time I open up another installment of this series I question why. There isn鈥檛 anything that really makes it stand out. In fact, up until 3.5/5.0
Every time I open up another installment of this series I question why. There isn鈥檛 anything that really makes it stand out. In fact, up until this point, the heroine has been so TSTL that it鈥檚 a miracle I haven鈥檛 thrown the book (tablet) at the wall and walked away. BUT鈥� there is just something cozy and comforting in this world and its characters. The community as a whole, their relationships鈥� I guess the easiest way to explain it is this series has heart. And, in this particular story, Bunny is actually a lot smarter, as well. Maybe she really did learn something at the police academy (previous book)!
SOPE鈥� it鈥檚 not rocket science, but it is a sweet, easy (Albeit frustrating at times) UF series....more
I think I鈥檓 really going to like this new series from H.H. At first I wasn鈥檛 sure. I love Mr. Harper鈥檚 writing style, it is engaging, action-filled, yI think I鈥檓 really going to like this new series from H.H. At first I wasn鈥檛 sure. I love Mr. Harper鈥檚 writing style, it is engaging, action-filled, yet light and fun to read - even when dealing with death - and monsters - and evil. I was hesitant only because of the whole cat-lady shapeshifter scenario, it just didn鈥檛 sound that exciting. BUT鈥� the story is filled with enough twists and really creative turns that I found myself thoroughly enjoying it!
*I do wish MacTire was the love interest, though鈥� Thane is fine, but the uber powerful are always more fun to pit wits against our heroine....more
The first part of this story is a bit slow going but as things unravel it gets, as always, absolutely unputdownable! It is in a bit different way thanThe first part of this story is a bit slow going but as things unravel it gets, as always, absolutely unputdownable! It is in a bit different way than with previous books in this series, however. This story deals mostly within deepening understanding and the reasons and motives behind much of the actions to this point. The storyline truly helps the reader really understand the characters better and for that reason I absolutely loved it.
There is a bit of action near the end but even then, it is there only to enhance the underlying motivations the are prompting the conflicts in the storyline and will absolutely affect the books to come. Bring it on!!...more
I had a terrible time finding anything at all to like about Skadi (FMC) throughout the first half of the book, but she did change in the second half aI had a terrible time finding anything at all to like about Skadi (FMC) throughout the first half of the book, but she did change in the second half and things took off with the same excitement, action and nail-biting yumminess as the rest of this series and the series that started it all before it....more
Yikes! I forgot to write a review for this finale! So, now I鈥檒l have to keep things a bit more general:
First and foremost, I highly recommend t3.5/5.0
Yikes! I forgot to write a review for this finale! So, now I鈥檒l have to keep things a bit more general:
First and foremost, I highly recommend the series. It is fantastic! Lots of action, unique and intriguing world, strong romance鈥� yum! Each book focuses on a different couple but they all tie in and intertwine so you don鈥檛 miss or lose track of those who you have read about before.
That being said, this specific couple is my least favorite. And, that鈥檚 a bit of a disappointment because I was SO looking forward to Calista鈥檚 book. I loved her in previous books! Sadly, my opinion of her kinda plummeted in this installment. She went from a pragmatic, meet things head on with a sarcastic comment kind of girl to one that runs away and tries to ignore everything chick. Didn鈥檛 make sense and it didn鈥檛 sit well with me.
BUT鈥� every thing else was awesome! A fabulous end to a fabulous series!...more
The same nail-biting, can鈥檛-put-down story, I just didn鈥檛 connect as closely with Saga and Ari and I have the previous couples. Only one more b3.5/5.0
The same nail-biting, can鈥檛-put-down story, I just didn鈥檛 connect as closely with Saga and Ari and I have the previous couples. Only one more book to go in this fabulous series, though! ...more
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