Listened to two hours on audio but am putting aside for now. I've listened to Sarah Mollo-Christensen read thrillers before and enjoyed them, but for Listened to two hours on audio but am putting aside for now. I've listened to Sarah Mollo-Christensen read thrillers before and enjoyed them, but for my taste, I don't think her style of narration is quite right for a fantasy. The way she delivers the lines keeps taking me out of the story.
Might give this a try as regular book some time? ETA: though holy hell, it's probably not likely at 718 pages for the first book in a series. ...more
Shades of ACOTAR and other romantasies, but the further you get into it, the more it feels like a stereotypical new adult romance than anything else. Shades of ACOTAR and other romantasies, but the further you get into it, the more it feels like a stereotypical new adult romance than anything else. The mythology isn't all that compelling, and the romance just has all those conventional NA beats, characters, back stories, sex, and rote language. It’s not specifically terrible, but none of it offers much genuine surprise or excitement, either.
Some editing issues here and there, and quibbles with the endless parade of exes/past histories that sort of move the plot along but don't really have much of an impact on the characters otherwise. Taking it off the "adult" shelf and leaving it on PNR/UF, though that's probably being a bit generous. I would have been more tolerant if the story had wrapped up in the one book, but in pursuit of romantasy cred, this one seems set on presenting itself as an epic fantasy series.
2.5 stars
Audio Notes: The narrator Stephanie Németh-Parker does well overall, except that the way she reads the FMC makes it feel very very YA/NA, though I guess that's fine if that's what you're interested in. Her MMC voice is pretty good at first too, except that there are more plummy UK characters/accents introduced, which then makes them all feel sort of put-on and indistinguishable.
But the worst comes when they start having sex and the MMC starts using that slow, lofty accent to talk dirty to her, and then I just started laughing and couldn't stop. I'd try another audiobook narrated by her, though, this was just a bad combination.
P.S. Breads Bakery, which is mentioned repeatedly but not by name, does have the best babka, though. But the chocolate one is better....more
I just can't with a guy who behaves this way. I liked book one, but this one has far less story and world-building and way more erotica--and erotica tI just can't with a guy who behaves this way. I liked book one, but this one has far less story and world-building and way more erotica--and erotica that is problematic and cringey to boot.
Also, I am pretty fucking tired of hearing about big dicks. ...more
Rough beginning, and it seems to have a problem deciding whether the King is a powerful vampire or just a regular indie romance asshole (down to some Rough beginning, and it seems to have a problem deciding whether the King is a powerful vampire or just a regular indie romance asshole (down to some tired lines and some of the sex), but I ended up really enjoying this. Partly because I like the fantasy world inhabited with various creatures (including some non-traditional PNR ones), partly she kicks serious ass, partly because it turns out he has principles, and partly because a giant snake named Fang won me over.
3.5 stars bumped up because it's a creative and fun take on vampire/shifter/etc. romantasies. With more edits, I could see this series being really great....more
If you were to publish an outline of this book, it sounds overstuffed and completely unworkable and unbelievable. But it somehow it does work, becauseIf you were to publish an outline of this book, it sounds overstuffed and completely unworkable and unbelievable. But it somehow it does work, because the author does such a good job of writing and balancing everything.
It has so many of my favorite PNR/urban fantasy things. Vampires. Cat shifters. Dragons. Wyverns. Strong, silent warriors. Incredible action scenes. Sexy sex. Purring. Pizza parties. Skeleton armies bursting through the fucking window. There’s so much to enjoy and I love how Shara has come into her power and already uses it so wisely.
More things done well: distinctly appealing characters, which is hard when you’re building a big reverse harem. Power dynamics that acknowledge alpha/shifter/harem culture but are respectful of individual feelings, agency, and consent. The sheer physicality of the way shape-shifting, magic, and mental and physical bonds are portrayed. The humor and care for others present throughout the story.
I think understanding that this series is independently published erotic PNR rather than your regular paranormal romance is important, as I can see how all this might be too much for some readers—and there are times when I’m worried at the dizzying speed at which the harem is growing and wild new creatures and lore are introduced, too. But for me, so far it’s been a ridiculously fun ride.
Holy shit. A world where women hold all the (impressive) power, unapologetically blood-soaked vampire sex, and guys who tell you that you never have tHoly shit. A world where women hold all the (impressive) power, unapologetically blood-soaked vampire sex, and guys who tell you that you never have to clean anything? Sign me up for this fever dream.
This isn't going to be for everybody, but I'm so glad I took a chance on it. The writing is so evocative, with intensely visceral descriptions of wielding power, blood lust, and magic. I've never felt closer to being a vampire myself. :D...more
4.5 stars I have an uneasy relationship with faeries(THEY ARE SO TRICKY), but I LOVED this one. The use of magic is so immersive, the description of h4.5 stars I have an uneasy relationship with faeries(THEY ARE SO TRICKY), but I LOVED this one. The use of magic is so immersive, the description of her dress near the end is amazing, the deadpan humor made me chuckle, and the pairing of an unusual heroine paired with an unusual magician was pretty close to perfect.
Audio Notes: Madeleine Leslay’s performance is just perfect. So many voices done well, from Dora’s calm narrative voice to the many male characters. My favorite scene was at the faerie ball, when the voice she did for one blustery, good-humored character reminded me of the Walrus in Disney’s Alice in Wonderland. It made me laugh. ...more
Somehow each one of the books in this series has managed to be even better than the previous one. Such a delightful comedy of manners! Such distractinSomehow each one of the books in this series has managed to be even better than the previous one. Such a delightful comedy of manners! Such distracting chemistry! Such an unabashedly absurd plot! Such a violent smashing of fruitcake!
...a look so wicked, he might as well as gone through and dog-eared all her pages.
And such wonderful, wonderful love of literature, present directly in the story (they are both soothed by their books, and he is bespectacled), in the witty dialogue, and in quotes/misquotes brazenly seized and tossed into the story at dizzying speed. I want to ply India Holton with copious amounts of tea and cake and inspect her pockets for daggers, as her prose is so wickedly sharp, I'm half in love with her myself, despite being neither witch nor pirate. Along with The Lady Janies' work, this series is a masterclass on how to write a madcap historical with a modern eye.
I loved the book, adored the ending, and can't wait for her new series featuring RIVAL ORNITHOLOGISTS in 2024.
4.5 stars
Audio Notes: I fear I'll sound like a deranged stalker if I heap more praises upon Elizabeth Knowelden's narration, but I'll just say she has in her armory a series of demented social laughs that made me burst into giggles every time they appeared.
I smiled beatifically at tomatoes in the grocery store. I burst out laughing as I drove wobbily down the street. I giggled uncontrollably as I stood iI smiled beatifically at tomatoes in the grocery store. I burst out laughing as I drove wobbily down the street. I giggled uncontrollably as I stood in lines, strangers noting my amusement with polite bemusement. I fanned myself as my face grew alarmingly flushed walking through parking lots. All this, because I listened to this audiobook and enjoyed it so so much.
India Holton has infused her Victorian rival ornithologists romance with vigorous adventure, rapier wit, and an intoxicating blend of lust and tenderness. It's a little Fantastic Beasts + rugged Indiana Jones-style academic pursuits, all of it wrapped up in a dazzling storm of magic and helpless attraction.
Beth was the first person he'd met who truly spoke his language. Her presence made the world finally slide into place for him. She was beautiful, unconsciously sexy, and he was drawn to that, of course, but it was only a minor part of how he felt. His attraction to her was so intensely intellectual, it affected his very brain function.
and my favorite birding bit, aside from a passing mention of demon ducks:
She leaned closer, wanting to kiss the humor back into him, but something flashed in the night behind his shoulder, closer than a star, brighter than a fragment of moonlight. Beth stared, as the speck of light began to dance.
"What is that?" she breathed.
Opening his eyes, Devon looked only at her. He smiled. "That, darling, is my favorite bird."
Their physical attraction to each other is inexorably entwined with their mutual professional respect and their care for magical creatures, and their shy vulnerabilty in their feelings is lovely contrasted against their assured confidence in their knowledge of ornithology. This would make a splendid film, as the visuals of helicopter parasols and ice birds are so clear in my mind, and of course the author's ferociously intelligent (and punny) humor just makes the entire chase a delight.
So excited for book two!
4.5 stars
Audio Notes: It's no secret that I exhibit stalkery levels of smitten when it comes to Elizabeth Knowelden reading India Holton. I cannot imagine another voice actor so deftly handling the playful language, so much so that I turned down a chance to read the ARC months ago so that I could wait and listen to her read the story. Worth the wait, as it’s practically perfect in every way....more
Not a hugely plot-heavy paranormal romance, but so very fun.
Recommended for fans of Soulless--this one has less focus on world-building, but has a siNot a hugely plot-heavy paranormal romance, but so very fun.
Recommended for fans of Soulless--this one has less focus on world-building, but has a similarly dizzyingly cheerful tone in the face of disaster. The endless literary allusions, often humorously integrated, are amusing to catch, and there are some magical spectacles that are visually very striking. It's also hard to resist such a briskly competent heroine and a dashing gentleman who looks upon her with such unbridled affection and lust and respect.
Audio Notes: I rarely listen to romances on audiobook, but I am so very glad I did with this one. The banter is quick and witty, and Elizabeth Knowelden's perfect delivery and varied voices made it a hugely enjoyable experience. I suspect the lightness in plot might be more obvious during a regular reading experience, but on audio it's absolutely delightful....more
A contemporary romance whose love interest just happens to be an endearingly formal, well-mannered, and gently inquisitive vampire. I smiled and smileA contemporary romance whose love interest just happens to be an endearingly formal, well-mannered, and gently inquisitive vampire. I smiled and smiled at this book from beginning to end—so sweet and funny, particularly the notes they leave for each other and his puzzlement over/misunderstanding of modern language and customs.
It’s a little light on plot (if you enjoy Erin Sterling/Rachel Hawkins YA, I expect you’d enjoy this), isn’t much interested in complicated supernatural stuff, you might wonder why she doesn’t ask more questions, and it gets a little scattershot towards the end, but I don’t even care. An enjoyable little Halloween bonbon.
Well, well, well. A Hazelwood heroine who doesn't ignore all the evidence before her!
I am so glad the author stepped out of her comfort zone to writeWell, well, well. A Hazelwood heroine who doesn't ignore all the evidence before her!
I am so glad the author stepped out of her comfort zone to write something different (I like most of her books, but let's be honest, a lot of the characters/themes/structure feel like the same zany rom-com story) and very fun. It wasn't just switching up the setting (not academic, the heroine is not a scientist, etc), it felt like the author made a conscious effort to write different emotional beats and explore different character traits, all with great results. I don't mind that it's light on world-building and that the focus was on the romance, though more intense PNR readers might; for me, this was funny and fast-paced and very enjoyable to read.
Something about her writing and plotting do often feel so chaotic to me though, and I think she's better than the usage of shorthand indie romance language like "you don't get to..." that is so overused--and I wish the ending didn't so obviously set up another book in this series. I mean, of course we expect there will probably be a Vampyre-Were Extended Universe, but the way the set-up is just thrown in at the end feels so perfunctory and half-assed and takes away the focus from the ending of a perfectly good romance.
But I am happy to see that the old Hazelwood chemistry is back in truckloads. And it's been ages since we got a book with sexy vampire sex, heeeeeyyyy. (The wolfy parts are pretty seductive, too. Although not because of the knot fetish, whose appeal I still don't really get even after all the shifter romances I've read.)...more
I loved it so, so much. Not perfect (and I think some of the criticism I've seen is fair), but o.m.g. It is clearly a response to JK Rowling and otherI loved it so, so much. Not perfect (and I think some of the criticism I've seen is fair), but o.m.g. It is clearly a response to JK Rowling and other TERFs, but I think it stands on its own. This world, in which witches are in service of the crown and women are powerful (both personally and politically) is so immersive and the magic feels organic and well thought-out. So much to celebrate, too, in terms of diversity and inclusion—I was not familiar with this author, but certainly her experience lends extra weight to the story.
I’m usually not a huge fantasy person because I don’t have the patience for much of it, but here I was never confused by the storylines or character motivations, even with many POVs and a new world to learn. And it’s funny! I literally laughed out loud a few times at the clever dialogue and references, and I enjoyed all the relationships so much.
Audio Notes: Aoife McMahon’s narration is fantastic.
I am SO upset by the ending, though. (And even more upset to have it spoiled for me BY THE PUBLISHER because I glanced at the synopsis for the sequel three hours before finishing this one.) Whhhhyyyyyyyyyy.
It gets a little bogged down by unnecessarily detailed lore, and the villains could have been better sketched out, but the romance, the sex, the charaIt gets a little bogged down by unnecessarily detailed lore, and the villains could have been better sketched out, but the romance, the sex, the characters, and overall plot were really great. ...more
Wendy Darling
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