Loved the scene with the magpie, loved the central mystery, loved both Cassie and the detective and their personal lives and struggles even more. But Loved the scene with the magpie, loved the central mystery, loved both Cassie and the detective and their personal lives and struggles even more. But ugh, what a wall-climber of an ending!
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
Would have enjoyed this more if it weren’t so blatantly referential (just the brief mention in the beginning of the Highsmith novel would have been enough), if there was less exposition, and the psychology of the crimes wasn’t so shaky.
Liked it as a fast-paced, airport-type read, though, and I appreciate a male author who takes time with the way his characters think, especially female ones. I just wish one of those wasn’t quite so out there, or had a more convincing foundation. But I'd check out another book by this author.
Audio Notes: Stephanie Cannon’s narration is well done overall, and I like the way her diction is often counter to the speech patterns you’d expect. With so many characters, however, that habit/quirk becomes a little more obvious and a little less special. Characters don’t stand out as much if multiple voices are doing the same/similar unusual ways of speaking....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
I read so many thrillers that feel the same, or fall short in disappointing ways, all in hopes of find books like this one. Really, truly excellent chI read so many thrillers that feel the same, or fall short in disappointing ways, all in hopes of find books like this one. Really, truly excellent characters, plot, and writing—I haven’t liked a series book one this much in a very long time. A bit of a slow burn, but it gets better and better as it goes along.
Trigger warnings: general violence and very specific, terrible (though not prolonged) animal abuse.
My biggest quibble is the tendency to overtly refer to the title again and again. Please, please stop this on-the-nose madness!
None of my friends have read this yet, and only 6 have shelved it as a TBR. Hopefully book two is released in English soon (looks like we're a couple of years behind the Swedish release) and the publisher puts some time and marketing dollars into it in the US, because it deserves it. ...more
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
Tempted to take off an entire star for the ending.
This is essentially a Twilight Zone (view spoiler)[
Squid Game + Survivor + The Hunger Games + JurTempted to take off an entire star for the ending.
This is essentially a Twilight Zone (view spoiler)[
Squid Game + Survivor + The Hunger Games + Jury Duty (hide spoiler)] story on an ocean liner, written like light horror/suspense and definitely requiring a huge suspension of disbelief.
Book was entertaining enough and the writing is pretty solid, but I didn’t love the plot/what was going on and I am really, really annoyed by the cheap twist at the end....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.
Precision plotting and tension lead up to a shocking revelation. All throughout, we know Sara has been kidnappStunningly, unbelievably prescient. Wow.
Precision plotting and tension lead up to a shocking revelation. All throughout, we know Sara has been kidnapped along with a CDC officer and they are being held by a loony cult that is planning something big. (view spoiler)[Towards the end, we discover that a large group of men--many of them white supremacists and ex-military--are storming the Georgia Capitol. The Last Widow was published in 2019, which means Slaughter wrote this a minimum of three years before the January 6, 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. (hide spoiler)] There are so many direct parallels between the lead up to the two events, and when I first realized what was happening, I literally got chills and screamed a little in my bed.
Re-reading in 2023, I appreciate the masterful character work, incredible action, and emotion even more. To be more than two decades into a series (and I do count Grant County + Will Trent as one big series, so please don't @ me) and still deliver so many surprises, revelations, and thrills is an unbelievable feat. Probably my favorite Slaughter book after Triptych....more
3.5 stars A woman's fiancé disappears at a rest stop, and she's terrorized by a sadistic unknown person who directs her to do unspeakable things in or3.5 stars A woman's fiancé disappears at a rest stop, and she's terrorized by a sadistic unknown person who directs her to do unspeakable things in order to save the one she loves. Some mild but very general spoilers below.
The first half of this book is like a slasher torture porn-type horror movie. (If you're at all squeamish, this is definitely not the book for you.) Kristine is relentlessly pursued and pushed to her limits, forced to debase herself and harm others; while the fast-paced callousness of these acts are pretty mindless, credit is due for the adrenaline-spiked sequence of events.
By the middle, it's revealed who's doing this to her. I don't think it's that hard to guess, and the reasoning behind the sadist's fixation on Kristine seems specious at best. Still, once you get past the usual confrontations, things become interesting in the last third or so as the stakes are suddenly raised for Kristine and she begins to fight back. I wasn't sure the level of detail in her flashbacks was entirely necessary, but eventually I appreciated how they revealed a hidden strength in her that you wouldn't have previously guessed, and how this sets up the final climactic fight.
This isn't on the same level as the genre thriller writers I enjoy most, though; while there's one scene that has a bit of sicko Gretchen Lowell to it (actually, it's very similar to a scene in BIRDMAN that is much more horrifying in its subtlety), the book lacks Karin Slaughter's nuanced characterization, methodical procedure, and moments of piercing vulnerability. It also doesn't have the delicious cat-and-mouse quality of Chelsea Cain's books, nor the undercurrent of fascinated repulsion or numb despair that makes her victims seem human and real. SWERVE's killer has the exact back story you'd expect, and the relationships displayed aren't terribly convincing or complex. Kristine and her daughter could use more development as well, particularly in the first half. This is the author's first thriller, however, so I'd be interested in seeing what she does with her next one; she definitely has enough inventiveness and a certain gift for frenetic pacing that keeps you on your toes.
This should've started out as a $7.99 mass market paperback, though. It's the kind of thing that's entertaining plane reading, not necessarily something I'd buy as an expensive hardback and keep on my shelf to reread. It's fun but not of the same caliber as other thrillers of this type. (I know, I know, when has that ever stopped them from over-charging.)...more
4.5 stars BADASS GIRL GLADIATORS. Does that sound amazing? Guess what--it's even more awesome than it sounds.
I was lucky enough to read an early galle4.5 stars BADASS GIRL GLADIATORS. Does that sound amazing? Guess what--it's even more awesome than it sounds.
I was lucky enough to read an early galley, but review to come from the ARC. With any luck, this thing will be a monster success. It deserves it....more
3.5 stars Solidly entertaining, action-packed scifi--especially if you're familiar with LA. (Ripley's T-Rex FTW!) Some aspects and secondary character3.5 stars Solidly entertaining, action-packed scifi--especially if you're familiar with LA. (Ripley's T-Rex FTW!) Some aspects and secondary characters could have been developed more, but I still enjoyed reading it.
3.5 stars A really terrific high-concept scifi novel--except it kinda lost me once, well, midnight is burned. It's the same problem I had with THE FOL3.5 stars A really terrific high-concept scifi novel--except it kinda lost me once, well, midnight is burned. It's the same problem I had with THE FOLD--great premise, engrossing plot, decent characterization, engaging narrative voice, and then the direction the story went/the reveal felt rather silly.
I liked it tremendously up until that point, however, so I'm rounding up in star ratings, even though the resolution and ending felt underdeveloped and a bit rushed. (Surprising, considering how carefully and methodically the pieces were assembled in the first two thirds of the book.)
I hope the author writes more YA in the future, though. I'd definitely check that out.
Wendy Darling
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