Updated review: Driven by my sometimes misguided sense of curiosity, I decided to finish reading this novella, despite my earlier abandonment of it. U Updated review: Driven by my sometimes misguided sense of curiosity, I decided to finish reading this novella, despite my earlier abandonment of it. Unfortunately, the story, the plot, and the level of the grotesque only devolved the more I read. In approximate order of appearance, the following are used as plot points in this novella of fewer than 100 pages.
- Drug-facilitated sexual assault - Killing and mutilation of chickens - Attempted rape - Kissing and making out following disruption of that attempted rape, complete with rapey thoughts from the male protagonist about how it's hard for him to control himself around her - Poisoning and killing of two horses - Incest between daughter and father, including reveal that said daughter has been seducing father since the age of 13 and blackmailing him since - Reveal that father accidentally raped "good" daughter once by mistakenly going to the wrong bedroom - Killing of litter of puppies by breaking their necks - Threats of one sister to kill the other - Double murder (possibly murder-suicide) - Reveal that "evil" sister had also been sexual coercing plantation workers into sexual acts - Mutilation of a corpse - Suicide
The intent of the novella seems to be to set up the full-length books in the series, but I can't imagine wanting to read more. Before anyone thinks that I am being squeamish or delicate, let it be known that I understand using violence as a way to develop a plot or its characters. However, such violence must serve a purpose in the story. None of this did, other than being used as a weak set-up for a curse that appears in other books. The paranormal aspects of the story don't even appear until the final 10 - 15% of the story, and they are then not even explained or fleshed out. (view spoiler)[It's just, "Oh, her eyes turned black once, and now she's a ghost who can haunt me. What about that weird lady who visited the house? Hmm, no matter." (hide spoiler)]
As the prequel to a YA paranormal romance, I doubt this story will do little to draw in readers. When the love story does appear, it is unbelievable with no build and a substantial focus on the couple's lustful intent toward one another, complete with statements about how the male protagonist can barely control himself around the chosen girl and how she doesn't want him to be able to. On top of all those things, the writing is poor, with frequently anachronistic dialogue and situations, and there is little characterization or world building.
This title comes from a newer digital-first press from Kensington, which makes me think they are more willing to take risks with which books and authors to sign, but this wasn't a good choice, especially as a promoted title on NetGalley. It makes me leery of the quality of their other offerings.
Initial review: DNF at 31%, which is saying something because this novella is only 100 pages in length. Rape or attempted rape was used twice as a plot device in the first 30 pages, the dialogue and behavior of the characters was historically inaccurate, and the story simply doesn't engage me at all. When requesting it from NetGalley, I had not realized that this is a prequel novella for a YA paranormal romance series, but this should be able to be read as a standalone. Despite that, I'm sure the author's and publisher's intent is to entice readers to read the rest of the series, but that won't be the case with me.
Note: This review refers to an advance review copy provided free of charge by the publisher.
Merged review:
Updated review: Driven by my sometimes misguided sense of curiosity, I decided to finish reading this novella, despite my earlier abandonment of it. Unfortunately, the story, the plot, and the level of the grotesque only devolved the more I read. In approximate order of appearance, the following are used as plot points in this novella of fewer than 100 pages.
- Drug-facilitated sexual assault - Killing and mutilation of chickens - Attempted rape - Kissing and making out following disruption of that attempted rape, complete with rapey thoughts from the male protagonist about how it's hard for him to control himself around her - Poisoning and killing of two horses - Incest between daughter and father, including reveal that said daughter has been seducing father since the age of 13 and blackmailing him since - Reveal that father accidentally raped "good" daughter once by mistakenly going to the wrong bedroom - Killing of litter of puppies by breaking their necks - Threats of one sister to kill the other - Double murder (possibly murder-suicide) - Reveal that "evil" sister had also been sexual coercing plantation workers into sexual acts - Mutilation of a corpse - Suicide
The intent of the novella seems to be to set up the full-length books in the series, but I can't imagine wanting to read more. Before anyone thinks that I am being squeamish or delicate, let it be known that I understand using violence as a way to develop a plot or its characters. However, such violence must serve a purpose in the story. None of this did, other than being used as a weak set-up for a curse that appears in other books. The paranormal aspects of the story don't even appear until the final 10 - 15% of the story, and they are then not even explained or fleshed out. (view spoiler)[It's just, "Oh, her eyes turned black once, and now she's a ghost who can haunt me. What about that weird lady who visited the house? Hmm, no matter." (hide spoiler)]
As the prequel to a YA paranormal romance, I doubt this story will do little to draw in readers. When the love story does appear, it is unbelievable with no build and a substantial focus on the couple's lustful intent toward one another, complete with statements about how the male protagonist can barely control himself around the chosen girl and how she doesn't want him to be able to. On top of all those things, the writing is poor, with frequently anachronistic dialogue and situations, and there is little characterization or world building.
This title comes from a newer digital-first press from Kensington, which makes me think they are more willing to take risks with which books and authors to sign, but this wasn't a good choice, especially as a promoted title on NetGalley. It makes me leery of the quality of their other offerings.
Initial review: DNF at 31%, which is saying something because this novella is only 100 pages in length. Rape or attempted rape was used twice as a plot device in the first 30 pages, the dialogue and behavior of the characters was historically inaccurate, and the story simply doesn't engage me at all. When requesting it from NetGalley, I had not realized that this is a prequel novella for a YA paranormal romance series, but this should be able to be read as a standalone. Despite that, I'm sure the author's and publisher's intent is to entice readers to read the rest of the series, but that won't be the case with me.
Note: This review refers to an advance review copy provided free of charge by the publisher....more
While the pages turned quickly and I did find myself ~somewhat~ wanting to know what happened next, this book solidified that I amRead for book club.
While the pages turned quickly and I did find myself ~somewhat~ wanting to know what happened next, this book solidified that I am not a fan of psychological thrillers. I felt the situation too contrived from the beginning and wasn't able to suspend disbelief about what the narrator did in his professional dealings. Also, (view spoiler)[I knew from the beginning that our narrator was somehow involved because it was clear that he was unhinged and obsessed with the client, even if I didn't know exactly how their lives had intersected previously. No big "whoa!" reveal with that one at all. (hide spoiler)]...more
Read as a nightly read-aloud with our seven-year-old child. Contains an important message about the need for wildlife passages, but the writing style Read as a nightly read-aloud with our seven-year-old child. Contains an important message about the need for wildlife passages, but the writing style didn't always work for us. ...more
2.5 stars.Only read because it seemed less daunting than the 700+ page bloat that is book 4. Nothing really to see here other than setting up the next 2.5 stars.Only read because it seemed less daunting than the 700+ page bloat that is book 4. Nothing really to see here other than setting up the next book(s) in the series, but nothing offensive or bothersome; just more about why everyone in the Night Court is super spehshul....more
I understand what the author was trying to say and I got it, but the first half of the novel felt a bit gimmicky. I was incredibly moved by the second I understand what the author was trying to say and I got it, but the first half of the novel felt a bit gimmicky. I was incredibly moved by the second half, though, and the writing was great throughout. I wish the two parts had better complemented one another, even though I think their differences were part of the point....more
An absolutely touching and beautifully-rendered tale that has many layers, depending on the age and maturity of the reader. We did it as a nightly re An absolutely touching and beautifully-rendered tale that has many layers, depending on the age and maturity of the reader. We did it as a nightly read-aloud with our six-year-old child, and while it took some scaffolding for him to understand the implications of certain things, it was still a wonderful novel for all, prompting discussion and introspection and empathy.
I've had this sitting in my TBR pile for a long time, keeping it there because I felt like I should read it, if only to acknowledge its place in the h I've had this sitting in my TBR pile for a long time, keeping it there because I felt like I should read it, if only to acknowledge its place in the history and development of YA vampire fiction.
In 1999, I'm sure this book felt different and edgy and impressive, especially given the author's young age, and I'm sure it was. But reading it now, the narration felt flat and emotionally removed. Nothing made me care about Risika and her 300-year-old feud with Aubrey, which seemed to materialize out of nowhere after hundreds of years of other opportunities to get at each other. Characterization, motivation, and worldbuilding were all lacking.
I'm giving it two stars to recognize what it was to the YA world twenty-plus years ago, and as the first book of a precocious author, but this normally wouldn't pass as anything more than a one-star read for me.
A disappointing installment from this author, who usually writes indulgent but well-written paranormal romance. This series just doesn't grab me in th A disappointing installment from this author, who usually writes indulgent but well-written paranormal romance. This series just doesn't grab me in the same way as her other works and feels like it could have been condensed into a single title, not four. ...more
This is the first thing I've been able to read to completion since we went on lockdown for the pandemic, and that in itself tells you this didn't take This is the first thing I've been able to read to completion since we went on lockdown for the pandemic, and that in itself tells you this didn't take much mental effort. Not recommended. ...more
When you're on COVID-19 lockdown and need a little levity, a short romantic romp about a Welsh shapeshifter dragon firefighter with red hair (whew, th When you're on COVID-19 lockdown and need a little levity, a short romantic romp about a Welsh shapeshifter dragon firefighter with red hair (whew, that's a lot of things!) could be just the ticket for needed distraction. It definitely was for me. : ) An unexpectedly enjoyable read, even if fluffy and predictable. ...more
Though I normally enjoy the indulgence of reading works from this author, this novella's plot and characters were too underdeveloped for me to believe Though I normally enjoy the indulgence of reading works from this author, this novella's plot and characters were too underdeveloped for me to believe in their love story and enjoy it. It was far too much of instalove, even for a paranormal romance, and the female character, Emry, was much too quick to know, understand, and accept everything about Graylan....more
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