Do we really need this kind of stories? Do we need a heroine to be this special?
This book is one humongous cliché, from characters to plot.
- Slight oDo we really need this kind of stories? Do we need a heroine to be this special?
This book is one humongous cliché, from characters to plot.
- Slight overweight (but hourglass -figured) "normal" heroine who at the end of the novella is this super wonderful Mary Sue with special powers. - Big, large shouldered alpha who loses control as soon as he sees "normal" gal. - Treason, overcome by said heroine who discovers how much special she is.
Sigh, it was a waste of time (both to read and review).
Merged review:
Do we really need this kind of stories? Do we need a heroine to be this special?
This book is one humongous cliché, from characters to plot.
- Slight overweight (but hourglass -figured) "normal" heroine who at the end of the novella is this super wonderful Mary Sue with special powers. - Big, large shouldered alpha who loses control as soon as he sees "normal" gal. - Treason, overcome by said heroine who discovers how much special she is.
Sigh, it was a waste of time (both to read and review)....more
A nice, if predictable, novella on a couple of alpha (of course) shifters. Kudos to the author: even with the usual mate stuff, she gives some time anA nice, if predictable, novella on a couple of alpha (of course) shifters. Kudos to the author: even with the usual mate stuff, she gives some time and space to the heroine. I'm only sorry for the use of (view spoiler)[miscarriage (hide spoiler)] as a deus ex machina. Too difficult a subject to treat it so quickly.
Character coherence went to hell with a minor one: Rynard. You don't move from would-be rapist to "nice" guy.
A few hints given go nowhere (like the stolen silver scalpel).
Merged review:
A nice, if predictable, novella on a couple of alpha (of course) shifters. Kudos to the author: even with the usual mate stuff, she gives some time and space to the heroine. I'm only sorry for the use of (view spoiler)[miscarriage (hide spoiler)] as a deus ex machina. Too difficult a subject to treat it so quickly.
Character coherence went to hell with a minor one: Rynard. You don't move from would-be rapist to "nice" guy.
A few hints given go nowhere (like the stolen silver scalpel)....more
Difficult to rate this mix of urban fantasy, futuristic post apocalyptic world with a strong dash of PNR.
Pros: -- Good world-building -- Plot3 1/2 stars
Difficult to rate this mix of urban fantasy, futuristic post apocalyptic world with a strong dash of PNR.
Pros: -- Good world-building -- Plot: clear, intriguing, without any hole -- Good characters development, no black or white card-boards, but real fictional people with flaws.
Con: --None really. It's my preferences that fault this as a PNR more than UF story (which I prefer).
I found the team Rogers a hit or miss for me, but this series (like Wilder's Mate) is definitely my cup.
Merged review:
3 1/2 stars
Difficult to rate this mix of urban fantasy, futuristic post apocalyptic world with a strong dash of PNR.
Pros: -- Good world-building -- Plot: clear, intriguing, without any hole -- Good characters development, no black or white card-boards, but real fictional people with flaws.
Con: --None really. It's my preferences that fault this as a PNR more than UF story (which I prefer).
I found the team Rogers a hit or miss for me, but this series (like Wilder's Mate) is definitely my cup....more
I love the world-building in this series, the magic mixed with science, the vampire and the alchemist. I love the world much more than I feel the3 1/2
I love the world-building in this series, the magic mixed with science, the vampire and the alchemist. I love the world much more than I feel the romance :) (which is sweet, but short. All Rogers' book are novellas, from what I gather.)
Merged review:
3 1/2
I love the world-building in this series, the magic mixed with science, the vampire and the alchemist. I love the world much more than I feel the romance :) (which is sweet, but short. All Rogers' book are novellas, from what I gather.)...more
Updated 4/2014. Lowered rating to one star. I tried to re-read it and found it pretty awful.
Original review
One of the better books from EC I've read lUpdated 4/2014. Lowered rating to one star. I tried to re-read it and found it pretty awful.
Original review
One of the better books from EC I've read lately. Still, I can't say I'm particularly overwhelmed by this book. It's an ok read, but one that tells the same story you have read in other PNR. Same old, same old.
It has a interesting plot and a potential in conflict that would have been really interesting. Unfortunately, there is no conflict at all: between the hero and heroine (a "rogue" wolf entering without permission into an other pack's land) due to the mating heat (say hello to your brain and will power), between the hero and his friend (even with a traitor in the mist), among the Pack, etcetera.
There was no real feelings involved in the couple, at least nothing I could perceive. But then if a couple is having sex even before they met, do they need feelings? (Cheap sarcasm, I know). So, an ok read. But nothing I'll remember after today.
Merged review:
Updated 4/2014. Lowered rating to one star. I tried to re-read it and found it pretty awful.
Original review
One of the better books from EC I've read lately. Still, I can't say I'm particularly overwhelmed by this book. It's an ok read, but one that tells the same story you have read in other PNR. Same old, same old.
It has a interesting plot and a potential in conflict that would have been really interesting. Unfortunately, there is no conflict at all: between the hero and heroine (a "rogue" wolf entering without permission into an other pack's land) due to the mating heat (say hello to your brain and will power), between the hero and his friend (even with a traitor in the mist), among the Pack, etcetera.
There was no real feelings involved in the couple, at least nothing I could perceive. But then if a couple is having sex even before they met, do they need feelings? (Cheap sarcasm, I know). So, an ok read. But nothing I'll remember after today....more
Second book in a series. I liked the first one, I thought it original and interesting. Unfortunately, this second story is less compelling and more "sSecond book in a series. I liked the first one, I thought it original and interesting. Unfortunately, this second story is less compelling and more "standard". I didn't connect with the characters.
Merged review:
Second book in a series. I liked the first one, I thought it original and interesting. Unfortunately, this second story is less compelling and more "standard". I didn't connect with the characters....more
I bought and read this book in 2010, but I forgot to add to my read shelf, god knows why.
I read it again today, and if it lost some shine, it's still
I bought and read this book in 2010, but I forgot to add to my read shelf, god knows why.
I read it again today, and if it lost some shine, it's still a pity the author has disappeared completely from the publishing world. The story is not really tight, and it suffers from this, plus some things are way too easily resolved. Still, it reads as easily :)
If you plan to buy the book, remember it has been written in 2010, before the big pnr explosion, and that there's no sequel. (The story is totally contained, though.)
Merged review:
I bought and read this book in 2010, but I forgot to add to my read shelf, god knows why.
I read it again today, and if it lost some shine, it's still a pity the author has disappeared completely from the publishing world. The story is not really tight, and it suffers from this, plus some things are way too easily resolved. Still, it reads as easily :)
If you plan to buy the book, remember it has been written in 2010, before the big pnr explosion, and that there's no sequel. (The story is totally contained, though.)...more
One of the better in this series so far. Still no reason for some sex scenes. Yes, I get that it's erotica, but I still need a strong reasoning. And<3
One of the better in this series so far. Still no reason for some sex scenes. Yes, I get that it's erotica, but I still need a strong reasoning. And here the only reason beyond some choices is "add sex and sell more". (view spoiler)[The "mystic" sex scenes to "braid" were useless, and confusing as hell. They weren't needed in the story. It was just a ruse to add multiple partners sex with a hint of m/m. (hide spoiler)]
Merged review:
<3
One of the better in this series so far. Still no reason for some sex scenes. Yes, I get that it's erotica, but I still need a strong reasoning. And here the only reason beyond some choices is "add sex and sell more". (view spoiler)[The "mystic" sex scenes to "braid" were useless, and confusing as hell. They weren't needed in the story. It was just a ruse to add multiple partners sex with a hint of m/m. (hide spoiler)]...more
I gave it a 2 star review when I read it the first time, but I don't think it is a good ranking and lowered to one. It is unreadable a second time aroI gave it a 2 star review when I read it the first time, but I don't think it is a good ranking and lowered to one. It is unreadable a second time around. There's a good idea somewhere but as this is erotica it's drowned in sex and absurdity. I can't call it erotic romance either as there's no romance, they have sex as soon as they meet and call it love. Plus, she keeps saying no and doing the opposite for the sake of the story. Doormat doesn't cover it. I didn't feel the chemistry nor the romance, but I would have liked a stronger story.
Original review
I started this book with lower expectation. It is an Ellora's Cave imprint after all. The blurb was interesting, tough, and the sample intriguing.
The plot was good and the sex scenes balanced enough (meaning you don't have a sex sandwich: sex, sex, action, sex, sex). Unfortunately, at some point I started expecting more :) The book was leaning toward UF and I liked this a lot. But, at the end it is an Ellora's cave imprint and this means no editing: the story needed world-building (or you miss the reason behind some things), tighter scenes and an overall check (there were a few phrases missing). The characters needed some more flesh (and back story!) and to be more coherent, i.e. the lead woman was written off as a strong witch, both in power and personality. We are told, for example, that Serena is the only witch working for the Protectorate. But then she is very easily manipulated and bullied by Marcus. (The scene with her mother was really unbelievable. A perfect wtf? moment).
As my Halloween treat, it wasn't good enough. And it did not survive the second reading test: abandoned without much thought.
Merged review:
I gave it a 2 star review when I read it the first time, but I don't think it is a good ranking and lowered to one. It is unreadable a second time around. There's a good idea somewhere but as this is erotica it's drowned in sex and absurdity. I can't call it erotic romance either as there's no romance, they have sex as soon as they meet and call it love. Plus, she keeps saying no and doing the opposite for the sake of the story. Doormat doesn't cover it. I didn't feel the chemistry nor the romance, but I would have liked a stronger story.
Original review
I started this book with lower expectation. It is an Ellora's Cave imprint after all. The blurb was interesting, tough, and the sample intriguing.
The plot was good and the sex scenes balanced enough (meaning you don't have a sex sandwich: sex, sex, action, sex, sex). Unfortunately, at some point I started expecting more :) The book was leaning toward UF and I liked this a lot. But, at the end it is an Ellora's cave imprint and this means no editing: the story needed world-building (or you miss the reason behind some things), tighter scenes and an overall check (there were a few phrases missing). The characters needed some more flesh (and back story!) and to be more coherent, i.e. the lead woman was written off as a strong witch, both in power and personality. We are told, for example, that Serena is the only witch working for the Protectorate. But then she is very easily manipulated and bullied by Marcus. (The scene with her mother was really unbelievable. A perfect wtf? moment).
As my Halloween treat, it wasn't good enough. And it did not survive the second reading test: abandoned without much thought....more
A wonderful futuristic world: dark and forbidding. One of a very few bunch of short story in which the romance was believable. I went to buy book 2 imA wonderful futuristic world: dark and forbidding. One of a very few bunch of short story in which the romance was believable. I went to buy book 2 immediately.
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A wonderful futuristic world: dark and forbidding. One of a very few bunch of short story in which the romance was believable. I went to buy book 2 immediately....more
I read Vampire's Witch some time ago. It wasn't a great read, but it had some potential. So when I found Close Contact I said why not.
Well, the firstI read Vampire's Witch some time ago. It wasn't a great read, but it had some potential. So when I found Close Contact I said why not.
Well, the first no should be the price. EC's books are really too expensive for what they offer. This costs 6$ for something more than a 100 pages. And while I understand books are not cabbages, I still expect to pay them according to a few rules.
You could probably ignore this if you like the book. Unfortunately I found it boring and skim read most of it. It's definitely worse than his prequel.
Yes, it's an EC imprint, but in theory in the Romantica thread. What it is: a sexfest. Sex, sex, sex, yawn, sex. Some story.
I wonder when authors will understand that: - eroticism is different from porn, it needs to be build as a flame; - many women do not like to be portrayed as a walking hormone. We can and will say no if the situation warrants it. I detest a heroine who doesn't want [pick your choice], but as soon as the hero puts his paws, sorry hands, on her, she caves. It's even worse here, she seems bipolar. I don't, he seduces her, she does, than again I don't. But she really doesn't do anything to change this never-ending loop.
And no, if he forces a bond on you, it's not your fault 'cause you provoked him. Nope. And the love-you at the end were pathetic. For what does she love him? As a jailer? As a person who never compromised or saw her point of view? Meh.
I'm only sorry I can't give it back.
Merged review:
I read Vampire's Witch some time ago. It wasn't a great read, but it had some potential. So when I found Close Contact I said why not.
Well, the first no should be the price. EC's books are really too expensive for what they offer. This costs 6$ for something more than a 100 pages. And while I understand books are not cabbages, I still expect to pay them according to a few rules.
You could probably ignore this if you like the book. Unfortunately I found it boring and skim read most of it. It's definitely worse than his prequel.
Yes, it's an EC imprint, but in theory in the Romantica thread. What it is: a sexfest. Sex, sex, sex, yawn, sex. Some story.
I wonder when authors will understand that: - eroticism is different from porn, it needs to be build as a flame; - many women do not like to be portrayed as a walking hormone. We can and will say no if the situation warrants it. I detest a heroine who doesn't want [pick your choice], but as soon as the hero puts his paws, sorry hands, on her, she caves. It's even worse here, she seems bipolar. I don't, he seduces her, she does, than again I don't. But she really doesn't do anything to change this never-ending loop.
And no, if he forces a bond on you, it's not your fault 'cause you provoked him. Nope. And the love-you at the end were pathetic. For what does she love him? As a jailer? As a person who never compromised or saw her point of view? Meh.
This short story (it can't be really called a novella) reminded me why I liked Ms Harrison's first book: prose, world building, plot.
In such a short sThis short story (it can't be really called a novella) reminded me why I liked Ms Harrison's first book: prose, world building, plot.
In such a short space, the plot suffers a bit, but less than I thought. Her prose is more lyric, less witty, but a couple paragraphs had me stunned. Given my cynical attitude (it is well known I prefer grittier stories) it does say something.
Thanks Nyasa for the loan.
Merged review:
This short story (it can't be really called a novella) reminded me why I liked Ms Harrison's first book: prose, world building, plot.
In such a short space, the plot suffers a bit, but less than I thought. Her prose is more lyric, less witty, but a couple paragraphs had me stunned. Given my cynical attitude (it is well known I prefer grittier stories) it does say something.
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