This was a really hard one to review because it's really hard to say if the things I didn't like were my personal opinion, or if it was the book itselThis was a really hard one to review because it's really hard to say if the things I didn't like were my personal opinion, or if it was the book itself. So, I suppose I will just go with my gut, write what I feel, and if it feels to YOU like it's a personal opinion, but you would read it, definitely pick it up for yourself!
One of the first things I feel I need to mention is that there are a few times in the book that made me feel uncomfortable due to sexual assault or near sexual assault, and both due to being drugged. I myself have never been through the experience (one instance being near-rape), but I would imagine that if I was uncomfortable, this could be a trigger for anyone that has actually been through it. I apologize if anyone considers this a spoiler, but I feel it's a need to know in this case.
I also was not at all expecting the "reverse harem" situation that is at this point being insinuated. This one I KNOW is a personal opinion because it is something that is becoming very popular but for me personally not really being into this sort of thing, I may not have picked this book if I would have known ahead of time. I didn't give the book a lower rating based on this because it IS personal opinion, but again, I feel others may want to know this ahead of time, because it may affect their choice in picking it up.
One of the reasons I only gave this book 3 stars is because of several of the sexual situations making me feel uncomfortable (like the ones stated above). If you've read any of my previous reviews, you know I'm no prude. I like hot when it's done well and it fits. When it's forced, I don't enjoy the discomfort.
Also, I REALLY liked how the story started. I fully dug Ruby, her feisty BFF, and especially her pet -- that was super original and ADORABLE. However, the story never built in intensity and interest for me. It was either too much character building, or not enough action to balance it out. I can't put a finger on exactly what it was. There was a lot that I felt could've been condensed, and we could instead find out more about the 'real' Ruby we were starting to see, and more of her story. I have no doubt this will be touched on more in book 2, but I had a really hard time getting through this one, and I know there will be much more about the four horsemen and Ruby that I personally am not interested in (again, that part is solely opinion), so I'm not sure I'll read on. However, those that like the reverse harem storyline may want to read on to book 2!
As I said, this one was hard, especially because I hate saying anything negative, but honesty always comes first with me, and I would want that from anyone I read a review from in return. Because some of this is based on personal preference, and some of this is based on a storyline that just didn't grab me, I would definitely say that if you aren't bothered by the things I was bothered by, giving book 2 a shot may pay off. There is certainly potential for the story to pick up, as much of the characters have been flushed out in the first book. Every opinion is different, and mine certainly isn't the only one!...more
This was my first experience reading a book from this author, and now I’m very happy that I was introduced to her writing. It was an exciting mix of pThis was my first experience reading a book from this author, and now I’m very happy that I was introduced to her writing. It was an exciting mix of paranormal and mystery. Shade wasn’t happy with just being a witch, and decided to use her abilities in becoming a private investigator. In making that decision, she took us on quite a rollercoaster ride of a first case.
Not only did this story have great twists and turns, but it was beyond who could have done it. There was also the potential for multiple crimes related to each other, and the suspects seemed to have the potential to have worked alone, or together, and several different people could have potentially worked together. The further into the story we got, the more confusing – in a good way – it was, and every time I thought I knew who the guilty party was, I was immediately sure I was wrong too. I loved not knowing, and figuring things out along the way with Shade.
Especially because we are dealing with the paranormal world, each character is incredibly unique, with wide ranging personalities and ways that they choose to live their lives and make choices for their futures – from politics to everyday life. I loved how much each character varied and made the story that much more interesting getting to know everyone.
Of course, we can’t forget that Shade would not have been able to get as far as she did without her spunky pixie familiar. She may be small, but she saved Shade’s life more than once, and made an excellent spy! I would definitely say she was one of my favorite characters. She added a little bit of everything to the story – especially laughter.
I truly enjoyed this story, and several times had a very hard time putting it down. It went by faster than I would have liked, and even though the mystery of ‘who done it’ is wrapped up, I feel like we’re just getting started. I definitely look forward to the next book and finding out what Shade has in store for her next....more
I really enjoyed this book from beginning to end. I read quite a bit of paranormal, and although this one had fairies, and your typical good vs bad wiI really enjoyed this book from beginning to end. I read quite a bit of paranormal, and although this one had fairies, and your typical good vs bad with a human stuck in the middle, the author still somehow found a way to make this book stand out as much more original than the rest. It kept me fully engaged from beginning to end.
Charlotte’s character was one of my favorites, because she wasn’t your typical damsel human in distress. She was an exceptionally strong woman that had been successfully raising twins, one with apparent special needs, all while working a full time job. Even once Callan re-entered her life and turned everything she knew upside down – opening up a whole new world to her and her twins – she never weakened, and her thoughts never swayed from what was most important: her children. Throughout the book, her life got more and more complicated, and at one point, just about anyone would have broken, but she didn’t. I love a book with a tough woman!
The world building in this book was also really creative and beautiful. I suppose it helps that Ireland is already beautiful, but the additional world creation wasn’t overly done, and was easy to believe that those that lived there could easily transition between their world and the human world. I also liked how the “good versus bad” wasn’t necessarily so black and white (with the exception of one truly bad guy). They’re more like different classes, one viewed as less trustworthy, but necessary for their “job”. Once Charlotte enters their world, she definitely does her job breaking down those barriers and showing their flaws, and I can see how things are really going to blow up in that regard in future books – and I can’t wait to see it happen.
This book certainly kept me on my toes throughout, where I was sure (likely based on what other books would have done) what was going to happen next, but I was regularly proven wrong. I have no idea what is in the future for any of these characters, and I look forward to finding out. I’m sure we’ve only scratched the surface, and this book was the perfect slow (but not too slow) build up of what is going to be a huge upheaval in all worlds involved, and for every character.
The only reason I gave this book 4 instead of 5 stars is because there were times when it was hard to tell who was saying or doing what, and although the general world building was fantastic, there were times where specific room or building descriptions were more difficult to imagine, so I had to reread them a few times. However, it was very little distraction from the book as a whole, and will certainly not keep me from moving on to book 2 ASAP to find out what happens next....more
I can’t even begin to express how much happened in this one book, and how much I loved every single minute of it! If you think you’ve had a rough few I can’t even begin to express how much happened in this one book, and how much I loved every single minute of it! If you think you’ve had a rough few weeks, I bet it doesn’t compare to the craziness that Avah faces in just a few weeks in this book! As you read this, it truly is amazing that this much can happen to one person in such a short period of time, but it is written so well, that I have no problem believing it. She simply had a really, really terrible thing happen to her that set off a rapid chain of equally sucky things happening.
The good news is it’s not ALL terrible for Avah, and the balance of good and bad events were really well done. When finding out one huge lie about her life turns into a huge change and a series of revelations of who she is and what her future may hold, she handles it exactly as you would expect – a combination of angry, scared and feisty. I loved it. However, those that she is forced to now be with – that were her sworn enemies her entire life – turn out to be not so bad. In THIS revelation comes the really good stuff. I don’t want to spoil it, but I would say for sure that all the bad that happened to her that lead her to this part of her new life? TOTALLY WORTH IT.
I loved how many different levels of things were going on in this book, and how fast it made me read this book. Avah is simultaneously learning about how much of her past was a lie, how vastly different her future will be, how to make new relationships with people she previously swore to hate, who she can really trust, and who she just can’t seem to stay away from, no matter how hard she tries.
By the time I was done with this book, I could not pick up book 2 fast enough! I read all 3 in a week – and would have faster, if life didn’t get in the way! I can’t stress enough how much you should read this book – and the entire series. It was a really great take on the supernatural, and how no matter what you’re taught, nothing is ever so black and white....more
Just like the previous books in the series, this book certainly did not disappoint, once again full of action and everything that could possibly make Just like the previous books in the series, this book certainly did not disappoint, once again full of action and everything that could possibly make your heart race from the very beginning. Just as Avah and her family never get a moment to rest, the readers certainly don’t either!
This book did not have a slow start, which I absolutely loved. Often, you will find in a trilogy or series, that the beginning of the books (beyond the first book) get weighed down with reminders of what happened in the previous books. This one certainly didn’t happen that way. We picked up with the recovery of the end of the last book, but with very little repeating of what had happened to get us there – which was very nice. And if there may have been a reminder needed of what happened in previous books, it was very lightly sprinkled throughout the book as needed, and barely noticeable.
Of course, for me, no reminders were needed, as I devoured all 3 of these books in a week. This was a FANTASTIC series, and I know that I’m going to have a huge book hangover for quite a while. I truly came to love each and every one of these characters, even a few that I wasn’t fully sure I could trust until this book. Ms. Rose has a writing style that love, because it constantly kept me guessing on multiple levels – who could and couldn’t be trusted, what was going to happen next, and even when they came up with a plan for a battle, we only knew ahead of time that there was a plan – zero details. We only found out what the plan was as the details unfolded.
One of the things that stood out the most, that was so beautiful about all of these books, was the many different levels of love shown, and felt as a reader. The love between Avah and Jasik was powerful, beautiful, extremely hot, and the relationship everyone hopes that they will find in their life (and in their case, especially if it’s an eternity). However, the different levels of love is this book go beyond the two of them. The family they create with the other hunters is unique for each one of them. Obviously, Jasik and Malik would be the strongest as they actually are blood related brothers, but the rest of them have such a unique relationship that makes them stronger than most blood related families. When Sebastian is added to the mix, it makes those relationships all the more interesting – in a good way.
There is a lot of shock that happens for the witches, the vampires, hunters, and hybrids in this book, which finally makes everything each group has spent thousands of years believing of each other finally come to a head, and be dealt with once and for all – good or bad. I was very happy with the outcome and how it came to be. Yet at the same time, with it ending the way it did, it is going to be very hard for me to say goodbye to these characters that have almost started to feel like my own family. I don’t know why I have never read any of this author’s books before, but you can be sure I will be looking up every single previous book written, and looking forward to every book that comes out in the future. This was really entertaining writing with a fresh look at the paranormal world, where nothing is as black and white as it may seem....more
Once again, this book did not disappoint! I sped through this one, all the while keeping a close eye on the evolution of the story, and how much I hadOnce again, this book did not disappoint! I sped through this one, all the while keeping a close eye on the evolution of the story, and how much I had left to read. At about halfway through, I knew there was going to be much more story to tell, and not as much book left. That meant there would be a book 4, and we wouldn’t have all the answers yet, but the story kept my mind so busy, that I was totally OK with it!
If you’ve read the first 2 books, you know there is a ton of detail that goes into them, and there are always a lot of players in the story – not always the same ones either. Because of this, I’m highly impressed with how much information and character evolution the author is able to get into these books without boring the reader. She doesn’t give too much description, but gives just enough to either give you the perfect idea of what is going on and/or the personality of the character, OR she gives you enough to leave you with questions about who you can trust. It is really a great balance.
Much of the great balance that gives you this point of view is that this book is written from Jude’s point of view. Keeping in mind that in many ways Jude is the newest to knowing about the prophecy, witches and vampires, and is figuring out himself what part he plays and who he trusts, it gives a very different perspective of characters we already knew and new characters we meet. I really enjoy the fact that perspectives change in each book, and we as readers try to decipher how we feel about each character.
As always, one of my favorite parts of these books is that this is not your typical story about vampires or witches. Just like us regular, boring, everyday humans, vampires aren’t necessarily the good guys or the bad guys, and witches aren’t either. It depends on the individuals. Even their diets are different – some vampires drink blood, some only eat non-processed foods, some do a little of both. It adds an entire different level to the story, as their two groups largely have an “us versus them” mentality, and the group we’ve come to love in these books is one of the few groups that feels it doesn’t have to be that way, as they all work together. I’m dying to see if/how the prophecy changes this perspective!
I really enjoyed reading this story from Jude’s perspective, and following the ever-evolving mystery of what the future holds for this group. Following the puzzle pieces they continue to find, and history they were unaware of has been a lot of fun. I can’t wait to see what happens in book 4!...more
2 days. I read this book in 2 days. The only reason it took me that long was because things like ‘sleep’ and ‘responsibility’ kept getting in my way. 2 days. I read this book in 2 days. The only reason it took me that long was because things like ‘sleep’ and ‘responsibility’ kept getting in my way. As a huge Hidden Wings fan, I majorly had my hopes up about this book, and KNEW I would not be disappointed. Cameo Renae does not write bad books. It’s the easiest decision in the world which book to pick up if one of those choices is her book.
I was super curious to find out how the Hidden Wings world would continue, yet this new series could also be read as a standalone. I was very happy and very impressed with how she worked all of that out. As someone who had never read the Hidden Wings series, she wrote just enough to explain the basics of how her world was built, yet at the same time, it wasn’t too much explaining for those of us that have already read the Hidden Wings series. As a new reader, or a reader familiar with the previous series, I assure you that you will be equally sucked in.
Her world building and character building are always so smooth and perfect, and it takes no time to feel like you’ve been with these people forever, and they’re all your good friends. And speaking of these friends, before Alex showed up, Eden already had a pretty awesome group of good ones that she had been going to her private school with for 4 years by this point. I can’t even begin to tell you how much I LOVED one of her best friends, Sebastian! His personality and humor stood out like no other, and I couldn’t get enough of him. I would love to see a book – even just a novella – where he and Dom (who also makes a few appearances in the book only in the way Dom can) have to work together for some reason. I’m sure it would be a book I’d be laughing all the way through!
As for Alex and Eden, they have the absolute sweetest relationship. It has to be really hard for an author to write about two people that meet -- one of them getting thrown into a world that they thought was nothing more than fairytale just a few days before -- and then have them build a relationship of trust in such a short period of time. As a guardian angel, it’s Alex’s job to build trust, but he usually has more than a few weeks. He certainly wasn’t expecting it to go as well as it did. Not only that, it was fully believable as a reader. I have no idea how Cameo Renae does it! I’m usually so incredibly skeptical of quick relationship and/or trust building, but it worked so well. Eden quickly trusted Alex, his old friends, and everything he said about what was happening to her – and it all felt completely natural to the reader. And as a girl that grew up without a father, she even ends up finding out who he is through all of this. I’m not sure if it was more emotional for her, or for those of us reading it!
I’m so, so very happy Cameo Renae started her new series based on a story about Alex and Eden. This was definitely the perfect choice. I can’t wait to see who’s next, and what challenges they will face. Hopefully we’ll get to see a glimpse of what our new friends from this book are up to as well....more
This one is definitely one of the most difficult ones I’ve had to review. Why? Because I REALLY liked the story, and the originality3 ½ out of 5 Stars
This one is definitely one of the most difficult ones I’ve had to review. Why? Because I REALLY liked the story, and the originality of the idea behind it. I liked the characters, who and what they were, and their back stories. The only problem was I didn’t FEEL the story or the characters as much as I would’ve liked to. The one big question I always ask myself when I review a book is “if I put this book down now (at any point), would I be OK with never picking it up again?” Unfortunately, throughout the majority of the book, I did feel like I’d be OK with it. I never got that ‘can’t put it down’ feeling until the very end of the story.
Again, the reason this is so hard to review, is because it’s hard to put a finger what specifically the things were that I didn’t like about it. I did really like the story, and the characters worked well together, as in not feeling like there were characters that were thrown in there that didn’t fit. I also liked the characters, but I didn’t feel invested in them. There’s a reason I’m not an author, so I can’t possible begin to say how the book could have been written to make me feel how the characters felt more, care about them like I know them more, and really feel their love and attraction to each other.
I also really liked the originality of the story. Although Phoenix was the main focus of the story, there were many different types of paranormal creatures, and many of them were very original – many from mythological stories, not your overdone modern day paranormal characters you find in most books. Yes, there were werewolves, shifters, and a vampire, but they fit very well with the story. I was also impressed with how many paranormal characters there were, and it didn’t feel crowded, like the author was just adding them in for the sake of adding them in. They all had their place, and were necessary for the storyline. The story was laid out well, there wasn’t too much jumping around, and the parts where they were remembering back to things from the past were pleasantly short but perfectly informative.
When it comes down to it, I really wanted to give this book a higher rating, because I liked what the author had in mind for the story. Unfortunately, I never felt connected to the characters or the story. It was a very good idea all around, but I never got sucked in or felt the characters. That being said, I’m still curious about the next book in the series. This author clearly has a talent, and maybe it just needs to grow. I have a strong feeling that the more books she writes the better the WAY she tells the stories will get. Although I didn’t give this story a high rating, I definitely wouldn’t give up on this author as a whole. I would definitely continue to read and watch her grow!...more
I have to say, after all of the things that Ivy was put through that were life changing, and in such a short period of time, I was surprised I never rI have to say, after all of the things that Ivy was put through that were life changing, and in such a short period of time, I was surprised I never read “and then Ivy’s head exploded”. This was an intense story from Ivy’s point of view, but this girl HANDLED it!
After reading this book, Ivy is my new hero. She already wasn’t a typical girly girl. She played the guitar in an all girl band, and KILLED it at racing and fixing cars. She also decided that no matter how many bad things in life were thrown at her, she was going to college, and she took it very seriously. Then, when her world got flipped upside down – several times – she didn’t let it break her. She fought harder, she got tougher, and she got rid of her own personal demons that got in the way of her real goals. She’s a tough, super cool character, and I’d possibly beg her to be my friend in real life (in a super cool way, of course).
Another thing that stood out about this book was the detail the author was able to go into about many different subjects. For instance, the detailed explanation of how to race the cars, details about the music and equipment, and several other things I won’t give away. Either this other is as awesome in real life as Ivy, or she did an exceptional job at researching every subject she wrote about, which I have huge respect for. It would have been easy to talk about the races without the details of how and when to shift, break, turn, accelerate, etc, but the details made me feel more like I was there driving myself.
I also really liked that the author didn’t make good and evil so obvious as I’ve read in so many other books. There’s no black and white – if you’re one thing you’re good, if you’re another thing you’re bad. She delves deeper, showing there is an incredible amount of gray area, and it’s possible for members to come together on common ground. This is really what kept me on my toes the entire time. I never knew who was REALLY good or bad, or who Ivy could trust.
If you’re someone like me who has a terrible habit of predicting who ‘mystery’ characters are, it’s likely you’ll figure one of them out pretty quickly. As I kept reading, I was hoping to be surprised and proven wrong, but although I wasn’t wrong, I still wasn’t disappointed. In fact, I think I was supposed to know. It was all about the reveal of who they were – tricky, and I like it!
There was certainly more than one (or two) nights that I stayed up reading “one more chapter” until my eyes were burning. This book kept me sucked in permanently, even thinking about it when I wasn’t reading it. I will definitely be reading the next one, as things are really getting good!...more
I absolutely LOVED how this book was written. I would definitely say that the thing that stands out most to me, that kept me on the edge of my seat thI absolutely LOVED how this book was written. I would definitely say that the thing that stands out most to me, that kept me on the edge of my seat the most, was that the entire book was written from Abigail’s point of view. Sometimes, even in cases of alternating points of view, things are given away too much because you know what everyone is thinking, and often feel like you’re one step ahead as the reader. In this case, you are just as confused, scared, sad, happy, shocked, etc. as Abigail, at the same TIME as Abigail. Not only is the story an incredible ride itself, but it’s also an incredible emotional rollercoaster through a seventeen year old’s eyes.
I really want to give very little away about this book in this review, because the new discoveries practically every time you turned a page were what I loved about this book so much. I really try to figure out what will happen next when I read books, and am sometimes disappointed when I’m right. In the case of this book, if I guess an event, or what would happen to someone, it was more of a prayer that I was right – not that it was obvious.
There are several characters in this book that come into Abigail’s life, and some will have obvious effects on her, some will be characters you’re sure are bad/good/boring/important/etc, and I can assure you that 90% of the time you will be wrong. As she herself is told a few times, trust nothing and no one.
Down to the very last word of the very last page, you are shocked at every revelation. I love being kept on my toes with a book that has a very original story line and original characters. I most certainly found that in this book! I have to warn you there IS a sort of cliffhanger, but not a killer one…just one that really leaves you looking forward to what happens next. And I can’t wait until I find out!...more
I have to admit, this review was REALLY hard for me to write. This book is the third book in a series that has thus far been an even combination of myI have to admit, this review was REALLY hard for me to write. This book is the third book in a series that has thus far been an even combination of mystery, romance, love of family – created or blood related – and the intensifying battle between the Sicari and the Praetorians. However, this book felt like it took a sharp turn away from the developing story between the battle between the Sicari and Praetorians, and the treasure they both searched for that could potentially declare a winner once and for all. Instead, the book largely focused on not one, but this time two, romances. It was very heavy on the sex scenes and/or sexual tension between the two couples.
The reason this was hard for me to rate, was because if you like SUPER steamy romances, this may be a book that you really enjoy. Once again, the author does a good job in the way she writes them, doesn’t make them awkward, and makes them very natural. However, this is the third book in a series that had some major build up going on in the previous two books to what was going to happen between the Sicari and Praetorians, and what would come of this secret that dates back to ancient Rome, and what it could change for all of them. Although this subject is certainly addressed, it felt like it was rushed to a close, and we never really got much in the way of answers. I don’t want to give any spoilers, but it came to a slightly abrupt, and to me felt like not-so-satisfying end.
In rating this, I rated it based on continuity of the story, and that I felt the ending wasn’t as satisfying as I was hoping. BUT, if you’ve been following this story more for the romances, then this story may end up being your favorite one, since you will definitely get your fill! This is certainly a book that you will have to read on your own to find what YOU feel the rating should be, since it was well written, just to me, not the same direction as the other books....more
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