Have you ever read a book that could be very good but there are just so, so, so, SO many words wrapped around that poor little plot that’s trying to mHave you ever read a book that could be very good but there are just so, so, so, SO many words wrapped around that poor little plot that’s trying to move forward? Yep, this....more
I’ve read multiple series from Ms. Cassidy and have loved them. This one, while initially engaging, just didn’t catch my fancy, though. The pacing is I’ve read multiple series from Ms. Cassidy and have loved them. This one, while initially engaging, just didn’t catch my fancy, though. The pacing is slow and not much really exciting happens throughout the majority of the story. The overall plotline is a very interesting one but, probably because of the slog getting anywhere, it just never drew me in enough to want to continue to the next book....more
About as perfectly plotted and executed romantic suspense as can be found! It starts as a nail-biter, then settles into a slower pace as our FM4.5/5.0
About as perfectly plotted and executed romantic suspense as can be found! It starts as a nail-biter, then settles into a slower pace as our FMC and MMC get to know each other and allows for that relationship to grow. The characters were so sympathetic that the reader absolutely aches right along with the circumstances portrayed. The thing that impressed me most, however, was that the final conflict didn’t play out as expected or as every other suspense/thriller these days. Rather, Ms. Roberts switches things up, keeps it real and allows the story to unfold in a totally unique way. I do wish we could have seen Ilya et al experience a much more gruesome end, however. There were chapters that gave his POV throughout the story yet we didn’t see it as the finale played out and I think we needed to see his complete downfall in more detail. With that ONE exception, this was a pitch-perfect and thoroughly enjoyable read!...more
This is a completely bi-polar book so it will depend on a person’s taste and preferences as to whether they will like it or not. The life part 3.5/5.0
This is a completely bi-polar book so it will depend on a person’s taste and preferences as to whether they will like it or not. The life part of the book is five star all the way. Absolutely riveting, emotional and can’t put down. The “romance” part of the book is non existent. It’s sex. Only sex. Obviously sex = love. The end. So, let’s break it down just a bit.
Rain grew up in the most horrid home imaginable. But it wasn’t the “normal” types of abuse, it was the most extreme neglect imaginable along with emotional abuse…. And this is where Tijan absolutely SHINES! She can completely gut the reader right along with the characters and she does with this one, folks. It’s real, and heart-wrenching and enraging all at once. Rain’s journey brings the reader to tears all while teaching them so much about mental health and the effects it can have. And it’s on a subject very few think about but is so very important.
The “romance” (sex) aspect of the book begins almost page one. Tyler has no idea who Rain is and neither have ever had any interaction at all (she did have a crush on him when she was very young, from afar). But within the first few words exchanged, they are going at it. Now here’s the catch - this is despite the fact that she will lose her job, there will be huge fall out along with a plethora of horrid things happen (and she knows it). Still, her body overtakes her brain and makes her give him sex anyway (not even exaggerating, check my notes section, there’s proof). This wild sex continues every time they run into each other (with her screaming loudly IN HER HEAD this is a bad thing) until the obvious happens. But the kicker? They are in LOVE! And, the problem with that is the reader has not seen one iota of proof because there hasn’t been a single conversation getting to know each other on the page. But the book is close to 50% sex, so that must suffice.
See? Which wins out? I LOVE some of the book and absolutely HATE the other. Mainly because I still hold out hope that today’s women have enough of a brain in their heads to use them....more
Absolutely one of the best books in the romantasy market this year! This second in the Stonegate duology is absolutely un-put-downable. To the point IAbsolutely one of the best books in the romantasy market this year! This second in the Stonegate duology is absolutely un-put-downable. To the point I almost missed a very important meeting because the queen had just taken Lyra into the woods and I could NOT just leave her there! That’s how submersed one becomes within the pages of this story.
From the first page, the reader is hooked. Lyra finds herself among a people who truly hate her with every cell in their beings, and is wary of trusting Roark after all the revelations that hit her at once. Luckily the wariness doesn’t last long and soon they are fighting together against all odds, not knowing who and what to trust. The writing is layered, the plot and pace smooth and creative, the characters are nuanced, the twists and turns are surprising and creative, and the ending? Absolute perfection. It’s a fabulous ride of a read, for sure. And, truly worth the rare five star rating....more
I really vacillated between rounding up and rounding down with this book. I decided to round up because the main problem I have with the story 3.5/5.0
I really vacillated between rounding up and rounding down with this book. I decided to round up because the main problem I have with the story is a personal preference. I need my FMCs to have at least one redeeming quality in order to connect. This one does not. She is just vile, returning every kindness given her with vitriol. Now, the author does help us understand why but just because I know why she is the world’s biggest *#&ch doesn’t make reading about her any less miserable. IF, however, a reader can enjoy an FMC like this, I would enthusiastically recommend this read because the story itself is very good. And, by the (very) end she was beginning to lighten up. (Okay, okay, I’ll admit the magic system is pretty vague and needed more understanding, but that didn’t bother me that much, I figure we’ll get to it in the next book.). I did love the MMC *sigh* perfect bookfriend material. And, I loved the secondary characters. They were almost as interesting as our main couple. And the villains are truly nasty....more
Absolutely delightful! A sweet, historical setting with a paranormal twist that is just as creative as it is fun! AND, it is a fabulously wonderful deAbsolutely delightful! A sweet, historical setting with a paranormal twist that is just as creative as it is fun! AND, it is a fabulously wonderful departure from the normal, dark, war and angst ridden fantasy fair we all may love but need a break from now and then. My only complaint is that, as a serial, the length is short so we’ve only had time to introduce and enjoy the engaging characters, plus uncover the overall storyline and conflict. Luckily the next installment in the trilogy has published so off to further indulge!...more
My goodness what a ride! Maybe a bit late, but I think I have found one of my top books of the year! It holds a nuanced plot with very complex world bMy goodness what a ride! Maybe a bit late, but I think I have found one of my top books of the year! It holds a nuanced plot with very complex world building. It is one that requires the reader to pay attention, however, so it isn’t for those who just want a easy, non-thinking night away. There are layers and layers to both the characters and the magic. But Ms. Andrews carefully unfolds each with beautiful precision and allows the reader to grow and discover right along with the characters. And I love that! Added to that is a storyline that grabs the reader immediately and doesn’t let go. So much rich emotion amidst the action that one feels every twist and betrayal personally.
I do think the magic could have been explained a bit more so the reader has a clearer understanding of exactly what each aspect (bone, blood, soul and melding) is capable of. Because they aren’t, one of the big twists at the end felt a bit stretched and unbelievable. The romance, however, was absolute perfection if one enjoys enemies to lovers. Lyra and Roarke’s understanding and ultimate love grows at a grudging but completely believable pace. It is just wonderful! And, even though the climax was a bit of a stretch, the aftermath was riveting, and leaves the reader absolutely aching for the next book!...more
My goodness what a ride! Maybe a bit late, but I think I have found one of my top books of the year! It holds a nuanced plot with very complex world bMy goodness what a ride! Maybe a bit late, but I think I have found one of my top books of the year! It holds a nuanced plot with very complex world building. It is one that requires the reader to pay attention, however, so it isn’t for those who just want a easy, non-thinking night away. There are layers and layers to both the characters and the magic. But Ms. Andrews carefully unfolds each with beautiful precision and allows the reader to grow and discover right along with the characters. And I love that! Added to that is a storyline that grabs the reader immediately and doesn’t let go. So much rich emotion amidst the action that one feels every twist and betrayal personally.
I do think the magic could have been explained a bit more so the reader has a clearer understanding of exactly what each aspect (bone, blood, soul and melding) is capable of. Because they aren’t, one of the big twists at the end felt a bit stretched and unbelievable. The romance, however, was absolute perfection if one enjoys enemies to lovers. Lyra and Roarke’s understanding and ultimate love grows at a grudging but completely believable pace. It is just wonderful! And, even though the climax was a bit of a stretch, the aftermath was riveting, and leaves the reader absolutely aching for the next book!...more
The storyline and overall writing of this book is top-notch, can hardly put down reading. BUT… (yep, there is one of those) the FMC is so confo3.5/5.0
The storyline and overall writing of this book is top-notch, can hardly put down reading. BUT… (yep, there is one of those) the FMC is so confoundedly deluded and dense that I just don’t think I can continue with this series. I need my female main characters to have something more than a potato between their ears! (Thanks for that image, Katyana, I stole it!) She is a poor servant girl who is seriously so dense that she determinedly believes with all her heart that the prince is going to fall in love with her and beyond all common sense, or realistic expectations, marry her and make her queen. And, against every single person, event and circumstance to the contrary, she sticks by that belief (good grief, the guy is actively dating, kissing and planning to marry someone else and she knows it!). This brings her to the most insane and annoying actions all while she completely ignores the MMC who is absolutely everything she would want, and, AND, who is completely in love and devoted to her.
I did look ahead to see if somehow she grows an intelligent brain and changes, but from what others say, it only gets worse. So, as good as this series might have been if I liked witless FMCs, I’m going to quietly tap out on this one....more
So we get the next few chapters of what I’m guessing is a serialized story… but most definitely would have been SO much better had we just waited for So we get the next few chapters of what I’m guessing is a serialized story… but most definitely would have been SO much better had we just waited for it to be one full length novel to begin with. As is, the time between publication ( six months for this one, a YEAR until the next!)) of each short installment leaves the reader completely lost when picking the next book. This is especially hard because Ms. Edwards immediately drops us into the storyline as if we just turned the page to the next chapter - mid conversation! There is absolutely no tidbits that will remind us who the characters and their relationships are, no help in catching up with what has happened so far, etc. etc. And, for avid readers like myself, who can read 100 other books in between, there is just no way to remember everything and everybody enough to have ANY idea where we are.
That, along with a whole list of small annoyances such as a FMC that seriously does the most TSTL stuff that it is head rolling (that’s much bigger than eye rolling, let me tell ya). And a Big, bad dragon who acts more like a scared little lizard…. And * warning; the next bit might be kinda maybe spoilerish* what was with that “big” scene where she gets shot and he doesn’t do a THING? Where are the flames, the anger, the retribution, for hurting his MATE?!?!? Nope, let’s just pick her up and go home.
*sigh* Still love the author, just having a bit of trouble with this whole bit....more
There are so many truly lovely and wonderful things about this story, the unique and interesting magic that comes from sewing threads together,3.5/5.0
There are so many truly lovely and wonderful things about this story, the unique and interesting magic that comes from sewing threads together, the young girl who - to save her life made a deal with a fae and lived to desperately regret it when that deal came due, the slow-burn romance with a Scottish Laird who detests and forbids any kind of magic whatsoever…. The list could go on and on. SO many things that make this book completely unique and wonderful.
The only problem is that it is just so stinking SLOW! It begins with a bang, but within just a few chapters the pacing grinds almost to a halt, and continues that way until the very last 20% or so. Then, it picks up and ultimately ends wonderfully again. The kicker, though, is the writing itself is enchanting in-spite of the challenging pacing problem. I just was never inspired to pick it up whenever I set it down....more
Whimsical, enchanting, and utterly captivating.Those are the perfect words for this sweet story. It doesn’t hold the bit of suspense and conflict the Whimsical, enchanting, and utterly captivating.Those are the perfect words for this sweet story. It doesn’t hold the bit of suspense and conflict the first book in this world did, but it is such a delicious little cottagecore that it is still thoroughly enjoyable....more
Loading...
