Katilicus

Missing the usual beloved characters

Revisado: 06-23-23

First, let’s start on a high note. As always, Amanda’s narration makes the novel.

The FMC is smart, interesting but overall just lacks something all the others have. She’s not quite as funny, and just lacks a backstory. And how the ending draws her backstory in without any actual understanding as to why is just strange.

The MMC is sleazy. Like, I just would have rather the FMC end up single and taking on the world than with him. He literally does not redeem himself in the end, he just exists. It was so disappointing.

Was it entertaining? Of course - I don’t think Molly Harper is capable of writing something not entertaining. But was this worthy the rest of her series? No - not by a long shot. This will simply be an entry, and not an overly memorable one at that.

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Series best (so far)

Revisado: 07-18-22

You’d think these books would be getting old. Suzanne Wright has a a couple of formulas for her shifter novels, and this one follows along with many of the others. So you’d think it would be boring. Only…

ITS NOT!! HOLY HOTNESS ITS NOT!

I thought this one might be awkward: a bi H who seems more attracted to men then women and an h who’s always been in love with her best friend - Mr. H. But man, this is just done so very very well.

Suzanne doesn’t just skirt around the topic of the H’s sexuality: she actually discusses it at multiple points. It’s natural and it’s just so awesome to see an author embrace the discussion earnestly but without making a big deal about it (it isn’t a main plot point, it’s just there). The relationship between H and h is the most natural so far in all of her novels and feels intensely real. Not to mention the story line is intriguing, fun, and full of actual questions that take a while to answer.

I love how despite being over a dozen books into her overall larger shifter world, Suzanne can keep the books fresh. This one is still one of the best, with real love between the characters built off something beyond just initial physical attraction. There’s such history here, and it’s so captivating.

Overall, 5/5 in all the best ways. Plus the heat…oh man. The heat.

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Good, but a step away from amazing

Revisado: 04-25-22

I picked up this novel originally in 2016 but didn’t finish. The author constantly uses the same term “She said” “he said” with little variation. While this is a small grammatical issue and more of a stylistic choice, it was pretty off putting at the time.

But I recently ran out of PNR series to binge on audible and had a credit to burn so I re-found this series not realizing I failed to finish the first book in 2016. I was very pleasantly surprised picking up the audiobook. The narrator’s performance was wonderful, enough that is didn’t make me cringe at every repeat “he said”. It’s also a wonderfully romantic but heat filled story. The only thing is I wish it was a bit longer: teased things out and made the relationship development feel a bit more real. While this is an enemies to lovers type deal, the transition was immediate skipping any real tension between the two. We went from “OMG HES GOING TO KILL ME” to a soft hearted attempt at fear and confusion while she briefly learns to trust him. I just wish this was drawn out more, and the tension of will she/will he/won’t she/won’t he continued.

But the banter between the H and h was real, and I cracked up multiple times. Side characters were wonderful, if not a tad bit predictable - but they add a much needed element. Our H is a bad ass and knows it - but the author doesn’t make him immediately invincible. He has weaknesses which makes the struggles through the book entertaining. Too often authors make their macho men just too perfect, and once they show up the day will be won automatically. This book makes the hero an absolute badass with enormous powers that can slaughter armies - but he has weaknesses. I really really liked that.

Overall, I really likes it. I’m looking forward to continuing the series to see if some of the issues I have with the writing style adapt over time. This is clearly and earlier work, so I’m hoping the rest grow upon experience and critique.

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Lacking character development and believability

Revisado: 04-25-22

I love paranormal romances. Give me a great shifter, sizzling heat and a heroine to love and man have you got me hooked!

…but this wasn’t it.

I wanted to much to enjoy this series. It had a neat premise, but I got lost in the immediate romance that seemed off putting and unrealistic. Sure - the first novel is about a bear shifter so suspending reality has to happen - but there wasn’t any sort of force behind the immediate connection, or any sort of character development. While I love a book with some real heat, this book replaced heat with story and character…but didn’t even make the heat all that exciting. It felt a little bit like insert tab a into tab b…very basic.

I wasn’t crazy about the main heroine. She was just another gorgeous woman with a sad past that every man looks past for no explicable reason until the hero meets her when she comes to town. That’s not how it works.

And before anyone mentions the length…yes each book is more of a novella. But novellas can be done perfectly with development, story and amazing heat. Check out KF Breene’s Darkness series for a great example of paranormal novella length series done right.

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Painfully monotone

Revisado: 10-08-21

First - I LOVE the transfusion series and have read every word. Stephanie Hudson hit this series out of the park - each book brings the story of Lucius and Amelia to life, with beautiful moments, hilarity and kick buttery. Seriously - Amelia may be my favorite heroine ever, and Lucius is just drool worthy at all times. This book is no exception, and it’s a wild ride to say the least. We are reintroduced to Pip and Adam as a seriously awesome bonus in moments that had me snorting with laughter.

But the narration ruined it. It was monotone, accented (which wasn’t a huge problem for me only that it’s a bit off to me as Amelia is American, but she has been living in England so I can get past that), and exceptionally dull. Every character sounds the same and every moment is of equal cadence. It’s almost like a robot read it - the cadence is so perfect and there’s zero inflection.

The narrator has a nice voice, it just needs some acting. It’s hard to follow along when all the voices sound the same. And when heated moments sound the same as a simple conversation, it’s difficult to get into it.

Overall - love Stephanie’s book, but dislike the narration.

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Emotional Ride

Revisado: 10-04-21

What…a…ride.

Lexi has absolutely hit this one out of the park. And while emotional books can often fizzle with a whimper, this one goes out with a bang. In the best of ways.

This is dark. Incredibly dark. If you are triggered by sexual assault, this is NOT the novel for you. There is a warning up front, but note that if you can work past this trigger, it is an emotional journey that is so rarely found in romance/paranormal novels. Lexi truly extends her writing chops in this one, making it an exquisitely beautiful adventure.

Also, word of advise: while this is technically a stand alone, read Winter’s book first. It’ll make a lot more sense if you do. :)

Now - onto the performance - Kale Williams is always my favorite male narrator. He brings each voice to life, and makes every unique voice it’s own. Truly - Kale proves why he is Lexi’s go to voice.

But this audiobook isn’t about Kale’s performance. While awesome - Sarah Puckett is truly the master of all things in this one. She truly takes in the voice of our heroine, and owns every single emotion. It’s clear that she really allowed the character to take residence in her mind as she narrated, making me literally cry giant crocodile tears - first with heart breaking sorrow and then unbelievable relief and happiness. I have listened to so many of Sarah’s books that I can honestly say that if this isn’t her best performance to date, it’s pretty darn close.

Sarah - take a bow. You’ve earned it.

This deserves far more than a 5 out of 5, but since that’s as high as I can go let me just say; I’m debating going back to older reviews and lowering the star ratings for lesser books only because they don’t deserve to be on the same level as this book.

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Here we go again!

Revisado: 07-27-21 El oyente recibió este título gratis

Aaaaaaaaaaaand away we go!

Welcome back tot he Midnight Fae Academy...a world of sumptuous males, drama, and a kick ass heroine who won't put up with %$(&^*@#!

Lexi has done it again, bringing us a group of voice actors that hit every cord perfectly. I'm no stranger to the wonderful Sarah Puckett's work, who narrates most of Lexi's female characters (because she's just plain amazing) and the ever talented Kale Williams who is now basically my favorite male narrator ever - but I have less experience with Gregory Salinas, Rich Miller and Lessa Lamb. And darn am I impressed - the way these narrators team up to bring every voice alive is astounding.

As for the story well...its hot. And fun. And the ride is a rush!

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Fun, Interesting Flare

Revisado: 07-04-21

Intriguing heroine with a dark background? Check.

Hot H with a possessive streak? Check.

Explosive chemistry? Quadruple check. I mean literally, there is no slow burn here. It is an explosive dynamic from the moment they meet.

Add in interesting and well researched details about art, art thievery, and New York city and you have an amazingly intriguing tale. Add in blood sucking vampires that have a rich backstory and an interesting spin? Ya, you've got a winner.

Sarah Piper explodes off of the RH stage and into the MF fandom with an unbelievably fun, intriguing and frankly hot as heck series that is ready to burst off the page. You cannot be ready for this sort of passion and direct connection, that is frankly done in a tasteful manner despite being an immediate attraction.

Sarah Piper is best known for some incredibly sexy and bingeworthy RH novels, which made me a bit concerned about her first truly indepth jump into the regular MF genre. But man does she pull off the singledom genre with a bang! I am truly impressed with her characters, research, and world building. It takes the familiar world of New York, and makes it an even more fascinating site with vampires, art thieves, and intrigue.

Can't wait to continue on!

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Slow Burn Tantalizer

Revisado: 07-04-21

This book sizzles in a slow burn of rich decadence.

Normally that's not the kind of book I go for, but I promise this is so much better than I could have anticipated.

14 hours of character development, world building in a pseudo dystopian fashion, and adventure.

When the book starts, I'll admit I nearly asked for a refund. The h is not in any way relatable at the front: a spoilt brat looking to live like the common people do. Riches to rags, and all that jazz, like a dystopian reverse of Cinderella. But the character development was incredible, and despite the fantastical world of vampires and the bloody follow through the discovery - her development is believable.

And the H...well, let's just say there's more to this story than anyone anticipated. Sultry, sexy, and oh so tempting, Kyros is anything but ordinary.

This is a very unique story. It's not the normal vampire blood sucking inferno that you can get almost anywhere - but a truly original story. I can't really go into it because it would ruin some of the more interesting plot developments, but its truly a supernatural battle worth its weight.

Despite the novel length, I felt drawn to each page. When I wasn't able to listen to the audio book, I was absorbing the book, flipping back and forth because I wasn't able to put it down.

And even though the burn is slow, its sizzles oh so bright the entire way through. This isn't some chase romance that you are begging to get going: the h and H are explosive and dynamic - a true enemies to lover type approach. And while the first book doesn't by any means complete the story, it was a satisfying first installment, and I cannot wait to get into more.

This is my first Kelly St. Clare novel, and I cannot wait to dive into more.

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Funny, but Predictable

Revisado: 06-23-21

So here’s the deal: this is a cute story. There’s some humor, and some great one liners. The main character has some relatable mishaps, and definitely thinks she has a boob problem.

But while she’s funny, there’s almost zero character development. For anyone.

The hero is just an alpha male that isn’t very alpha. A bad guy that isn’t a bad guy. He’s just…a guy that is pretty close to perfect.

The heroine is predictably flawed - beautiful but doesn’t realize it, insecure, limited sexual experience and has a series of mishaps that have to do with her being humorous and/or kind of an oddball.

Together, I didn’t feel the chemistry. While it’s a sweet get together, I didn’t feel the turmoil of the buildup. It’s like you always knew they were getting together, and the H was just…there to be the romance element. That’s it.

If you are looking for a vampiric tale that doesn’t take itself seriously, is an easy read and has some great moments of humor - this is for you. It’s along the lines of Molly Harper’s Good Girls Don’t Have Fangs which fits a specific mood. Just take it for what it is.

As for the performance - it was okay. It was well edited, and I didn’t find any errors. That said, I’m just not crazy about the actress. Her men all sound very similar, and I just felt like the heroine was very monotone. But when it comes to the main components: editing, errors, etc. it his the mark.

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