This book was a lot of fun. I mean, it could definitely use some more editing, but it was still super entertaining and exactly what I thought I'd be gThis book was a lot of fun. I mean, it could definitely use some more editing, but it was still super entertaining and exactly what I thought I'd be getting into when I started. 1920s era, complete with gangsters and tommy guns and moonshine gone wrong. ...more
I read this one quite a while back, but for some reason the copy I reviewed is now just a blank cover and it appeared as though I haven't read the booI read this one quite a while back, but for some reason the copy I reviewed is now just a blank cover and it appeared as though I haven't read the book? Anyway, here is the original review...
***3.5 Stars***
It is really hard to describe how I feel about this book.
On one hand, I really like how she builds Pestilence's character, how he is literally the a physical manifestation of, well, pestilence. He has no idea what it means to be alive so we get to experience a lot of firsts with him. Have I ever mentioned that non-human/human pairings are my favorites? Well this is one example of why. I love when we get to experience love and life through an alternate lens. When the best of humanity is what overcomes the worst. When we get to rediscover what it really means to alive...
But, right from the start the story was a little off for me. From the beginning and throughout the book we understand that Pestilence is immortal. He cannot die and heals fully within a day or two, no matter how brutal the death. He is merciless in his task. Nothing and no one can stop him. Knowing this, are we really expected to believe that he would (view spoiler)[ beg for mercy from Sara in the beginning? He loathes humanity at this point, has been harmed and killed by them many times over. He is quite literally unstoppable and resolute in his task. No way would he beg for her mercy. It is so out of sync with the rest of his character and story. (hide spoiler)]
And although I fully appreciate the enemies to lovers trope (another of my faves when done right) this begins almost too Stockholm-esque and never fully transcends that for me. Their first few days together are pretty brutal, Pestilence is pretty brutal. I don't really fault him, he is what he was made to be, but Sara is able to move past that fairly quickly. Then she becomes this weird Florence Nigthingale like character. I mean, I get wanting to ease the suffering of others. I really do. But honestly, it was probably better not to prolong their inevitable demise. There's no cure and no coming back from it, no matter how many fluids she forces or brows she wipes. And then turning around and trying constantly to nurse Pestilence? He can literally heal from mortal wounds in the matter of hours. He can't die. Why use your time and resources to attempt to heal what will be healed on its own tomorrow?
I guess that was a rhetorical question, because once again I know the answer. This was a way to show Pestilence another side to humanity, one that is not all about hate and selfishness. I understand that part of the conclusion to this story is that Pestilence learns what love is, that he really comprehends what it means, and one mode of delivering that message to him was Sara's selflessness in the field. I could just picture them riding through the towns, Pest bringing with him the plague, taking down the resistors with his golden arrows, and then there's Sara following in his wake nursing, those he's just shot and then again those that succumb to his disease. Playing the selfless heroine to his unyielding conqueror. If I'm being honest, I wanted to roll my eyes at that so hard sometimes. But, while Sara's actions may have seemed a little too altruistic at times for belief, she didn't overly annoy me. That's definitely a good thing, as I tend to become annoyed with female characters 10x faster than male characters. It's a flaw of mine. One I've tried to work on but one that I just can't seem to shake for some reason.
Maybe my biggest hang-up overall is the ending. I was overwhelmingly underwhelmed. It did not feel genuine in the slightest. It was like she (the writer) got to a point and was like, "Shit, how do I get myself out of this one?" and then took the easiest approach to make it happen. It was just neat and tidy and easy.
However, ultimately this is a love story. A slightly fucked up love story--I'll say it again: quasi-stockholm syndrome--but even throwing that into the mix, as a love story it delivered. I don't know what it is....I don't ever ending up LOVE loving her works, but I will say Ms. Thalassa has a way of writing that is almost un-put-downable for some reason. And her heroes (I'm taking some liberties with that word in this case) are always swoon-worthy. So while Pestilence maybe didn't hit all my buttons just right (or maybe it did, and that's the point) I will say that I will continue to read her stuff and eventually one of her stories will catch me truly and wholly.
As a whole, the series gets 3.5 stars rounded down to 3, mainly because now we're 5 books in and still not a ton has happened. Jessie is stil***3.5***
As a whole, the series gets 3.5 stars rounded down to 3, mainly because now we're 5 books in and still not a ton has happened. Jessie is still coming into her power, she still has seats open on her council, she is still facing off against the mysterious mage baddies (not so mysterious anymore), and I don't know, it just feels like it's gotten a bit repetitive and stagnant. Plus, even though the author stated at the end of book 5 that a book 6 was in the works, it's actually been some time now and I'm not so sure if there will be a book 6 any time soon. As much as I liked most of the characters and the initial setup of the story, the pacing and development didn't quite hit it for me....more
I like this series. There are a lot of fun moments...but I'm also a little on the fence about caring if that makes sense. I don't 100% "get" the real I like this series. There are a lot of fun moments...but I'm also a little on the fence about caring if that makes sense. I don't 100% "get" the real conflict. So the mage wants Jessie. For what? An ally? A lover? A pawn? Why doesn't he just court her or why won't she just reach out to him? It just all feels unnecessary and ends up being the same rinse-and-repeat story-wise. It moves pretty slowly and honestly, not a whole lot happens. I feel like the books keep ending back at the beginning. That's not keeping me from picking up the next one, but hopefully, we'll see some actual forward momentum in that one. ...more
Female MCs (Isadora, this is you) who rush to character judgments based on their own insecurities and preconceived notions are beginning to annoy me. Female MCs (Isadora, this is you) who rush to character judgments based on their own insecurities and preconceived notions are beginning to annoy me. I don't know. I get why authors use this device as a way to grow a relationship, having the H prove to the h that there's more to him than meets the eye, but it still frustrates me.
Obviously, I loved our Bollywood star/super vampire Devraj. He was some yummy book candy. No qualms there.The plot was okay. I forgot at times what else was going on aside from Dev/Iz each not saying what they really want from their 'interludes'. Communication is key. That's all I'm going to say.
Now I'm really wanting to know what went down with Ruben and Jules. Plus our Grim has a name! I'm ready for that to take off, too.
Overall, I liked Evie and Mateo's story more, Dev was super yummy, and I'm still invested in seeing how the rest plays out....more
Overall, this was a cute series. Not perfect, but still fun and easy to read. I have probably rated "better" books 3-4 stars, but this met every expecOverall, this was a cute series. Not perfect, but still fun and easy to read. I have probably rated "better" books 3-4 stars, but this met every expectation I was looking for in a series. Very much a right time, right place series.
Probably my biggest gripe throughout the whole series was her being a vegetarian. To clarify, first off, I have zero qualms with her actually being vegetarian. However, in the first book it is made to seem that her transition was fairly recent and was strictly for health reasons, not for moral reasons. But throughout the series, comments in regards to her decision to move to a vegetarian diet often seemed like it was at least in part due to morality of butchering animals. It just kind of bugged me. Well, that and her sometimes poor decision making skills. But none of it was a deal breaker. I still liked Morgen and liked Amar. Zoe, I'm not so sure about her. Wendy I've grown to like and Sian is definitely an interesting character as is Doc. Maybe we'll see more of these guys in the future. I would definitely read more of the stories set near Wolf Wood....more
Simply Sam
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