She’s a lovely author but not a strong one. Her stories are lovely to read but again they leave you totally baffled. Unsatisfied it’s a better term. TShe’s a lovely author but not a strong one. Her stories are lovely to read but again they leave you totally baffled. Unsatisfied it’s a better term. This is a short, not particularly deep, UF that might have been a very interesting novel that wasn’t. So much potential, so much waste. Vague world building, vague characterisation. Pity. It was half a story....more
The book is not a stand alone. It starts in media res and it's very, very confusing. Oh, you can get the backstory, you arDNF at 45% for many reasons.
The book is not a stand alone. It starts in media res and it's very, very confusing. Oh, you can get the backstory, you are not dumb after all, but that's it.
The thin plot is unbelievable, the villain both stupid and over the top, the romance cold. The heroine is a wet fish whose wishes get trumped, but hey it's the bad guys' fault, not ours (even if we were the one to put you in danger...) She gets kidnapped by the "good guys", and the morning after every thing is all right.
Either their love story happened in book one or the romance was the "love at first sight" variety. If they had chemistry I couldn't feel it. But above all the book was boringly written.
I thank the author and the publisher for the free book, but it's not the one for me.
Update: I forgot to mention the constant, if subtle, shaming . She is not good enough, woman enough, she's not good in sex. Why, she's a tomboy, that's why. I wanted to rip something every time there was a hint of shaming.
Merged review:
DNF at 45% for many reasons.
The book is not a stand alone. It starts in media res and it's very, very confusing. Oh, you can get the backstory, you are not dumb after all, but that's it.
The thin plot is unbelievable, the villain both stupid and over the top, the romance cold. The heroine is a wet fish whose wishes get trumped, but hey it's the bad guys' fault, not ours (even if we were the one to put you in danger...) She gets kidnapped by the "good guys", and the morning after every thing is all right.
Either their love story happened in book one or the romance was the "love at first sight" variety. If they had chemistry I couldn't feel it. But above all the book was boringly written.
I thank the author and the publisher for the free book, but it's not the one for me.
Update: I forgot to mention the constant, if subtle, shaming . She is not good enough, woman enough, she's not good in sex. Why, she's a tomboy, that's why. I wanted to rip something every time there was a hint of shaming....more
Jory Strong can write some powerful erotic stories, but unfortunately also some meaningless sex vignettes like this. No story to drag you in. ;)
MergedJory Strong can write some powerful erotic stories, but unfortunately also some meaningless sex vignettes like this. No story to drag you in. ;)
Merged review:
Jory Strong can write some powerful erotic stories, but unfortunately also some meaningless sex vignettes like this. No story to drag you in. ;)...more
Really good compared to both other RS books I read and her own books of this series. I can't say I overwhelmed tough. Nor that I'm interested in any oReally good compared to both other RS books I read and her own books of this series. I can't say I overwhelmed tough. Nor that I'm interested in any other story, particularly Dax. I felt the resolution was weak. Plus, I stopped reading for a couple of days, and realised I wasn't that interested in picking it up again.
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Really good compared to both other RS books I read and her own books of this series. I can't say I overwhelmed tough. Nor that I'm interested in any other story, particularly Dax. I felt the resolution was weak. Plus, I stopped reading for a couple of days, and realised I wasn't that interested in picking it up again....more
There are times I'm not sure I read the same book other people did. This is one of those times. From reviews and blurb I did expect something differenThere are times I'm not sure I read the same book other people did. This is one of those times. From reviews and blurb I did expect something different: gritty, poignant, with some difficult moments.
What I found is the fake-LTGB version of an Harlequin romance (the ones with the unbelievable stories about princes, millionaires and the like).
Let me start with the plot. Yes, Will is beaten and raped. Twice. Is it difficult to read? No. There are no real, detailed descriptions of it. We are told mostly. Some of it (the rape) is off screen. Does it make it any better (or worse)? Again no. Because this is a clear case of telling rather than showing. Nor the characters nor the readers do really feel the brutality. Will doesn't suffer for it. He has no problem in going on living or having sex. He just avoids going to work for a week. (Less problems than a flu.) There's no added burden of being male (in this society) and being raped. The brutality, like the paranormal, is just a label, a layer. It's not real.
Love story. Er. Sorry, what love story? The two see each other and for no apparent reason start an affair (after the rape no less).
I did really wish authors would let the controversial stuff out of their books, if they are not able to be real about it. Was it a bad book? No. It wasn't awful. I didn't dislike or hate it. But sure I'm sorry I bought it.
There are times I'm not sure I read the same book other people did. This is one of those times. From reviews and blurb I did expect something different: gritty, poignant, with some difficult moments.
What I found is the fake-LTGB version of an Harlequin romance (the ones with the unbelievable stories about princes, millionaires and the like).
Let me start with the plot. Yes, Will is beaten and raped. Twice. Is it difficult to read? No. There are no real, detailed descriptions of it. We are told mostly. Some of it (the rape) is off screen. Does it make it any better (or worse)? Again no. Because this is a clear case of telling rather than showing. Nor the characters nor the readers do really feel the brutality. Will doesn't suffer for it. He has no problem in going on living or having sex. He just avoids going to work for a week. (Less problems than a flu.) There's no added burden of being male (in this society) and being raped. The brutality, like the paranormal, is just a label, a layer. It's not real.
Love story. Er. Sorry, what love story? The two see each other and for no apparent reason start an affair (after the rape no less).
I did really wish authors would let the controversial stuff out of their books, if they are not able to be real about it. Was it a bad book? No. It wasn't awful. I didn't dislike or hate it. But sure I'm sorry I bought it.
A bitter sweet love story. I can't call this book really a romance, as it's set in a world where slavery is a reality. There's no real love between maA bitter sweet love story. I can't call this book really a romance, as it's set in a world where slavery is a reality. There's no real love between master and slave, as there is no equality. I can't call it exactly BSDM erotica, as there is no consent.
Still, there is love and some freedom, even if dearly paid, and they save the day.
Merged review:
A bitter sweet love story. I can't call this book really a romance, as it's set in a world where slavery is a reality. There's no real love between master and slave, as there is no equality. I can't call it exactly BSDM erotica, as there is no consent.
Still, there is love and some freedom, even if dearly paid, and they save the day....more
The heroine of a book is what makes a hit or miss for me. If you think about it she's the one we will identify with. So why would I want to be her: naiThe heroine of a book is what makes a hit or miss for me. If you think about it she's the one we will identify with. So why would I want to be her: naive to the point of stupid, savy in nothing? Her only characteristic is she survived cancer, but for all her back story I wasn't able to respect her strenght.
Plus the love-in2-days was really ridiculous IMHO....more
- Slight overweight (but hourglass -figured) "normal" heroine who at the end of the novella is this super wonderful Mary Sue with special powers. - Big, large shouldered alpha who loses control as soon as he sees "normal" gal. - Treason, overcome by said heroine who discovers how much special she is.
Sigh, it was a waste of time (both to read and review).
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Do we really need this kind of stories? Do we need a heroine to be this special?
- Slight overweight (but hourglass -figured) "normal" heroine who at the end of the novella is this super wonderful Mary Sue with special powers. - Big, large shouldered alpha who loses control as soon as he sees "normal" gal. - Treason, overcome by said heroine who discovers how much special she is.
Sigh, it was a waste of time (both to read and review)....more
No plot, characterization, world building. What you'll find here is sex between stranger, an idiot and an other with fangs. And yes, I still wish thatNo plot, characterization, world building. What you'll find here is sex between stranger, an idiot and an other with fangs. And yes, I still wish that so called writers would understand that no one wants to read about fake reactions nor fake people just because we like paranormal settings.
And please romance lovers love romance, we don't want the easy way out, the mystical, fake bond. Groan.
Merged review:
No plot, characterization, world building. What you'll find here is sex between stranger, an idiot and an other with fangs. And yes, I still wish that so called writers would understand that no one wants to read about fake reactions nor fake people just because we like paranormal settings.
And please romance lovers love romance, we don't want the easy way out, the mystical, fake bond. Groan....more
A nice, if predictable, novella on a couple of alpha (of course) shifters. Kudos to the author: even with the usual mate stuff, she gives some time anA nice, if predictable, novella on a couple of alpha (of course) shifters. Kudos to the author: even with the usual mate stuff, she gives some time and space to the heroine. I'm only sorry for the use of (view spoiler)[miscarriage (hide spoiler)] as a deus ex machina. Too difficult a subject to treat it so quickly.
Character coherence went to hell with a minor one: Rynard. You don't move from would-be rapist to "nice" guy.
A few hints given go nowhere (like the stolen silver scalpel).
Merged review:
A nice, if predictable, novella on a couple of alpha (of course) shifters. Kudos to the author: even with the usual mate stuff, she gives some time and space to the heroine. I'm only sorry for the use of (view spoiler)[miscarriage (hide spoiler)] as a deus ex machina. Too difficult a subject to treat it so quickly.
Character coherence went to hell with a minor one: Rynard. You don't move from would-be rapist to "nice" guy.
A few hints given go nowhere (like the stolen silver scalpel)....more
I really do not know how to tag this novelette (100 pages ca). Usually, EC imprints are really out of my comfort zone, not because they are kinky or tI really do not know how to tag this novelette (100 pages ca). Usually, EC imprints are really out of my comfort zone, not because they are kinky or too explicit. Simply because, with some exception, they are worthless and boring porn. This book was saved by its sheer absurdity that made it "funny". And If you are laughing this hard, you can't really consider it that bad. :) Mind you, it's still porn (no story to talk of), but at least it wasn't boring. :)
Merged review:
I really do not know how to tag this novelette (100 pages ca). Usually, EC imprints are really out of my comfort zone, not because they are kinky or too explicit. Simply because, with some exception, they are worthless and boring porn. This book was saved by its sheer absurdity that made it "funny". And If you are laughing this hard, you can't really consider it that bad. :) Mind you, it's still porn (no story to talk of), but at least it wasn't boring. :)...more
Ms Archer's books and I travel on different wavelength. I did not like her other novel I read, and definitely did not like this novella. At least the Ms Archer's books and I travel on different wavelength. I did not like her other novel I read, and definitely did not like this novella. At least the novel had some plot, Collision Course's plot is like Swiss cheese: plenty of holes.
One example only. This story is based on blackmail. The air force strong-arms Mara to help them retrieve a pilot and her craft. If she doesn't, she will be tried as a traitor. I guess this is acceptable. One problem. The moment she out of there, this blackmail stops working. An other problem: the moment she is out of base into her side of the galaxy, she could easily dump the guy or worse sell him and the secret knowledge he easily spilled to her. From there it goes downhill. Of course there is instalust, of course this woman who at 16 abandoned the life of a royal princess to do what she wanted has no problem in letting the air force destroy the life she has built for herself. For a guy she has barely know. Yep. Believable.
CC is what I call a sex sandwich (lots of smut, no substance). Like in your sandwich, you probably want some balance. You might not mind some chili or, on the contrary, you might like it a lot, but still overall you are looking for a balanced taste.
Unfortunately here you have two nice characters with a glimpsed back-story that sounded interesting, and they bored me to death. I had to force myself to finish it.
Merged review:
Ms Archer's books and I travel on different wavelength. I did not like her other novel I read, and definitely did not like this novella. At least the novel had some plot, Collision Course's plot is like Swiss cheese: plenty of holes.
One example only. This story is based on blackmail. The air force strong-arms Mara to help them retrieve a pilot and her craft. If she doesn't, she will be tried as a traitor. I guess this is acceptable. One problem. The moment she out of there, this blackmail stops working. An other problem: the moment she is out of base into her side of the galaxy, she could easily dump the guy or worse sell him and the secret knowledge he easily spilled to her. From there it goes downhill. Of course there is instalust, of course this woman who at 16 abandoned the life of a royal princess to do what she wanted has no problem in letting the air force destroy the life she has built for herself. For a guy she has barely know. Yep. Believable.
CC is what I call a sex sandwich (lots of smut, no substance). Like in your sandwich, you probably want some balance. You might not mind some chili or, on the contrary, you might like it a lot, but still overall you are looking for a balanced taste.
Unfortunately here you have two nice characters with a glimpsed back-story that sounded interesting, and they bored me to death. I had to force myself to finish it....more
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