I should note that for the start of this book, the main character is pretty miserable to be around. For that part, I might rate this 2.5. But perseverI should note that for the start of this book, the main character is pretty miserable to be around. For that part, I might rate this 2.5. But perseverance paid off and it was worthwhile once they got through their issues. I was surprised by the end, I figured there would be...more. But I guess there will be a book 6 to wrap up those loose ends....more
I really enjoyed this book and enjoyed that books 1-3 form a complete arc. I did see some things coming ((view spoiler)[Jurian being good or at least I really enjoyed this book and enjoyed that books 1-3 form a complete arc. I did see some things coming ((view spoiler)[Jurian being good or at least goodish and Drakon coming back, and the betrayal (hide spoiler)]). I didn't see some things coming ((view spoiler)[their dad coming back was really unpredicted! (hide spoiler)]). I also cried at (view spoiler)[their dad's death and burial (hide spoiler)]. I've heard that book 4 is kind of meh backstory stuff and book 5 switches the character POV. I'll get to those "soon" (TM) but I enjoyed my quick trip through this world so far....more
For me this book started slow, but as I got farther in, I wanted to read (and listen) more. I really dug the book though I could have done without (viFor me this book started slow, but as I got farther in, I wanted to read (and listen) more. I really dug the book though I could have done without (view spoiler)[the epilogues. I didn’t need the resolution and may have enjoyed it more without the wrap-ups (hide spoiler)].
Narrated by the fabulous Michael Kramer and Kate Reading. Pretty sure I could listen to them reading the phone book and be enthralled....more
Wow. The book kind of meandered a bit but I did NOT see the last 100 pages or so coming. I really enjoyed how this picked up from where Fourth Wing leWow. The book kind of meandered a bit but I did NOT see the last 100 pages or so coming. I really enjoyed how this picked up from where Fourth Wing left off, but now I'm upset that I'm not getting another book in the series anytime soon. I need to talk about this one....more
Well that was unexpected. On the first few pages, we see that the main character has a disorder that looks a lot like Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (a genetiWell that was unexpected. On the first few pages, we see that the main character has a disorder that looks a lot like Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (a genetic disorder that I also have). Then they add dragons (which I guess wasn't that unexpected). And way too much early 20's hormones. But a school where you learn to be a rider! A school where killing fellow students is not only permitted, it is encouraged, so that you can increase favor amongst the dragons. Some of the students at the school are the kids of rebels who are forced to go to the school...to die, or survive and fight for "their enemies". I was kind of meh on the sex scenes but I could zip through those scenes. I'm probably going to read the sequel....more
A book released by KFC for Valentine's Day or Mother's Day a few years ago. It was a fine romance ish story. Goofy but fun.A book released by KFC for Valentine's Day or Mother's Day a few years ago. It was a fine romance ish story. Goofy but fun....more
To paraphrase the movie, "The Princess Bride," I found this more enjoyable while skipping the kissing parts. I just didn't need to listen to narrationTo paraphrase the movie, "The Princess Bride," I found this more enjoyable while skipping the kissing parts. I just didn't need to listen to narration of steamy scenes. Other than those parts, the book was a fun little sci fi book that sets itself up well to be the first in a series. There never really felt like there was real trouble for the team or any real conflict but it was fun to see the spaceship and see how a certain theft was done. I'm glad that S&L picked it to get me exposure to the book (it's certainly not one I'd have ever found or read on my own) but I don't think I'll continue with the series....more
After finishing Golden Arrow #1, I went right into #2. Where I called the previous book "rom-stery" or something, this was way heavier on the romance After finishing Golden Arrow #1, I went right into #2. Where I called the previous book "rom-stery" or something, this was way heavier on the romance and the "girl indecision" that we all do but I find infuriating to listen to (which is why I don't read a lot of romance) in general. I found that my guess about the identity of the real-life Golden Arrow was correct (and I figured it out much earlier than the detective in the stories haha). I wonder where this series could or would go from here. Now that it seems like the main character has figured out the love life stuff (well enough anyway..) and at least the detective knows who the GA is, they could theoretically spin this to be like most cozy mysteries where the main character knows that they're supposed to stay out of the way of the police but just can't help themselves.
Despite my annoyance with the "girl stuff", I enjoy the characters in this series, so if another book were to come out, I'd probably get another one......more
I think this would be considered a rom-stery or rom-myst? Something like rom-com but instead of comedy, mystery. MG is a geeky girl, creative and stroI think this would be considered a rom-stery or rom-myst? Something like rom-com but instead of comedy, mystery. MG is a geeky girl, creative and strong. She helps solve a mystery that had unknowingly been open for 30 years and ended up finding a boyfriend. It was cute and fun. And I guess it's a series, which is hilarious because I think I know who The Golden Arrow was. I think I got this from an Audible daily deal and would probably continue in the series....more
Two stories in one, it wasn't a bad book. I thought some places dragged a little bit, but overall I liked it. The two stories alternate throughout theTwo stories in one, it wasn't a bad book. I thought some places dragged a little bit, but overall I liked it. The two stories alternate throughout the book.
The first story is of Katherine, a woman born into a wealthy/titled family in England. However, she finds her passion doesn't align with marrying "the right man" to increase the family's wealth and runs off with her beau. This story occurs in the time of World War I.
The second story is of Anna, her daughter. Anna doesn't know much about her parents or family, having been adopted by friends of her mother when she was young. Before she can learn anything from her adoptive parents, bombings in England in World War II destroy their village. Anna, a nurse with the Red Cross, ends up going back to her family's home (Nanreath Hall) and uncovers much of her history.
There was a little bit of a twist that wasn't particularly hard to see coming, but the story was still interesting and engaging. I liked the characters. I also liked the narrators of the audiobook. I think some of the scenes could have been tightened up and maybe it wouldn't have felt quite so slow, but all in all, a fun little read....more
Clean Sweep is an urban fantasy-type book with some interesting twists. Unfortunately, the narrator of tNarrated by Renee Raudman Length: About 8 hours
Clean Sweep is an urban fantasy-type book with some interesting twists. Unfortunately, the narrator of the audiobook had a voice that didn't fit the character and was so out of place that it made the book very difficult to listen to.
Dina is an innkeeper, a woman who runs a B&B in Texas. Her inn has magical properties and she has magical capabilities, her role being that of a neutral protector in a version of Earth/USA that includes normal humans but also has vampires, werewolves, and other magical beasts. The main thrust of the story is that Dina's inn becomes the site for a showdown between two sides in a big family disagreement, though the book was more than halfway through before any of this became evident. The first half (or slightly more) of the book was world building and character introduction more than it was purely essential to the plot.
In Clean Sweep, Ilona Andrews has some interesting ideas about magic. I think I might be persuaded to read another book set in this world/series, assuming it was quicker to get to the point/didn't do as much world-building, and assuming that I read it, not listened to it (or that the narrator was someone else). In Ms. Andrews' world, the magical entities are by and large aliens from other worlds who find themselves on earth for a variety of reasons. What appears to be magic to "normal" people is actually uber nanotechnology or other futuristic technologies at work from alien worlds. There are many aggressive entities, such as the werewolves and vampires, but there are also places like the Inns, the Switzerland's of the magical world. Innkeepers are to take no sides and to protect whoever signs the contract and pays to be a guest at the inn.
All of this goes awry when some creatures known as stalkers start killing dogs in the town where Dina's inn is. At first, she believes that a local werewolf named Sean is to blame, but after killing two (with the help of Sean) and studying them, she comes to find out that these creatures may have been hired by vampires as part of a massive (and deadly) family feud. The world-building is mainly done by Dina explaining how the "magic" came to be to Sean, who knows nothing of the history of his species' home planet or how his species came to earth. Through these explanations and through Dina's preparations to help protect the vampires who are staying at the inn, the reader learns about other worlds, wormholes, and the true source of "magic."
The book also has a side plot that was touched briefly upon, a story of Dina's parents' inn vanishing one day. Dina does a bit through the course of the narrative to try to find them, but it seems fairly obvious that it's a side thread to be explored in later books/as a series arc. While most of the book is purely urban fantasy, there are also some hot and steamy scenes that are typically found in romance novels. Many urban fantasy books these days seem to have these scenes, whether they add to the story or not (in this case, not). There is also a possible threat, the local police officer thinking Dina is up to no good, but that thread is unceremoniously dropped just before the main thread of the story picks up, about halfway through. It's not clear if this topic will be revisited in later books or if it was just an editing miss.
Clean Sweep is a fairly typical, action-packed urban fantasy story. There aren't any deeper themes or morals to be had from it, though the idea of magic as uber technology is kind of fun. The book, once the actual plot started, was pretty quick to go through and fairly simple/straight-forward. This isn't a book that's going to make you think, or require lots of focused reading time to enjoy.
The only major negative is with the audiobook specifically. Dina is supposed to be a 23 year old woman living in Texas. Unfortunately, she sounds like an old grandmother from the deep south. The voice and the description of the character just don't align. The narrator's voices for the men were surprisingly good, but her overall voice just sounded old and tired. In parts where there was a lot of action, she actually sounded even worse, over dramatizing her voice acting. I actually thought she was going to die a few times. It was downright uncomfortable and annoying to listen to, and I cannot recommend the audiobook. If another book in this series is released, I may give it a go in print/Kindle, but won't be listening again unless the narrator changes....more
Nothing great. As with the others in the series, no real plot, just a lot of emo romantic crap. But I think it's supposed to be a sort of romance noveNothing great. As with the others in the series, no real plot, just a lot of emo romantic crap. But I think it's supposed to be a sort of romance novel, so I guess it does that OK....more
terpkristin
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