Fantasy Lover:Sherrilyn Kenyon-Book One

Since I posted a review on the first three official Dark Hunter books and am calling them books two to three, I thought I should post a review on the unofficial book one, Fantasy Lover.

Fantasy Lover is connected to the Dark Hunter series, but isn’t a Dark Hunter novel.

Huh?

Okay, from what I understand Ms. Kenyon wrote the book to test the waters. She didn’t think her vampy thing would fly so she tossed out Fantasy Lover, a book about a half god stuck in a book who is has been cursed for eternity to be a pleasure slave for women.

Sounds blah doesn’t it?

When I picked up the book thinking it was book one in the Dark Hunter series I was expecting something quite different from what I got. Grace and Julian were um, not what I expected, but I have to say the book was enjoyable. I spent the whole time wanting something else, but that’s not the books fault. I was tossing it back expecting cherry cola and getting peach iced tea. The iced tea didn’t suck I was just expecting something entirely different.

So, here’s the thing. Read the book only if you want to. It’s not a requirement to the series. Having said that though, I suggest you read the book.

For one, Julian is the next main character’s best friend. Kyrian and Julian go way back. The tie in to Fantasy Lover in Night Embrace is sweet, creates a feeling of connection in the reader and makes you understand Kyrian better since in Fantasy Lover, Julian reflected on him quite a bit.

Plus, the duo are mentioned here and there in the next installments I’ve read.

I also have a notion that they may show up when we see Valerius again. (I’m assuming his story is coming up because he’s Zarek’s brother and the son of the man who killed Kyrian in his human life. Didn’t I tell you you’d need a score card?)

Basically, Fantasy Lover is a good, quick read, with the paranormal laced in, but not on the vampy, Dark Hunter level. Expect a more traditional romance story with some really nice sex scenes and some awesome flashbacks. Kenyon does a nice job giving you a sense of Julian’s past and I will guarantee you will like him, even if he’s not the “one” for you.


© 2008

Dance With the Devil: Sherrilyn Kenyon-Book Four

Oh crimenies

I think I dared to compare Zsadist to Zarek in one of my recent posts. I dared mock the Z thing, the slave thing and the whole vampy fang thing.

I was wrong.

Mister Zarek is nothing like our vamp man Zsadist and his story doesn’t compare beyond the shallow.

In Dance with the Devil we get to tame the beast, be the one that melts the ice away from an angry, joyless heart and we get to do it as a nymph.

Our heroine this time around is Astrid. Don’t worry the name is old fashioned, but it works well with the plot. Albeit it lets our Zarek speak poetically.

I can’t tell you what I liked so much about this one. I liked it better than Night Embrace, not that Night Embrace was bad, but perhaps Zarek’s emo, trodden on life speaks more to me.

And of course, one often likes romance books better if they can relate to the chick and I could this time, though I don’t have to deal with her emotional or rather unemotional issues.

This book is also more self contained. The new characters are not crammed down you’re throat, but placed seamlessly into the story which takes place mostly in Alaska. Believe me though, this book is anything but cold. It sizzles, it makes you want to cry and man does it make you want to be smile, too.

Of course while Zarek is being judged for possible execution, we learn about more about Acheron. Acheron is the thread that ties all these books together. I have to say I like that.

In many of these books, you learn to love a character then he’s just a memory. Maybe he makes a call to the current focus character, but otherwise he’s practically forgotten. Stringing Acheron through these books has maintained a level of familiarity that I really like. Not to mention, he’s hot.

Again I leave you with buy it, read it. Trust me you will read happy with this one.

© 2008

Stray:Rachel Vincent-Book One

Here’s the story rundown. Faythe is a werecat gone to college to seek out a normal life. Her pride however, has been watching her. This is a good thing because when she’s attacked by a stray, things get a little hairy.

Wow, doesn’t that sound like a TV blurb? Or maybe a movie preview? I should’ve started out with

“In a world…”

But I don’t have the large booming voice to pull that off.

All kidding aside, Stray is Rachel Vincent’s first time out and it’s a good introduction. For those of you who like the spunk of Anita Blake you’ll like Faythe, the ever strong, miss independent. But unlike Anita, Faythe doesn’t carry her chip on her shoulder. She knows when to let down her hair and cast the tough act aside. Certainly this is a good thing right? We never like it when a man doesn’t just chill.

The book is a good read, a little sharper on the action and is reminiscent of Kim Harrison and Kelley Armstrong who both put appearances on the front and back covers. The book is one of those “tween” styles. It’s not quite romance, but it’s not exactly not romance either. I would call it a good story with teeth. It’s fun, fast past and the characters are interesting.

You’ll find a nice diversion from your typical paranormal romance and again, I wouldn’t exactly call this a paranormal romance.

In any case, I’d read it again and am planning to buy Vincent’s new book Rogue and the upcoming Pride.

Here’s her blog/website: http://rachelvincent.com/

The Black Dagger Brotherhood Series: J.R. Ward

I read the Black Dagger Brotherhood Series very recently. This was my first jaunt into actual paranormal romance. I have to admit I was very hesitant. You see, I was one of those horror snobs that needed a little more than a hot vamp running around town saving some supercharged damsel in distress. After all, I am a Anne Rice fan.

At this point I’d been reading Kelly Armstrong and Kim Harrison. I found Kim first and loved her. Then I found Ms. Armstrong and liked her more. I was in love with the paranormal once again and for some reason this new wave was more fun than Anne and not as bubblegum as Laurel K. Hamilton.

I was elated to find books of worth in my beloved genre.

But I couldn’t find them, find them. I had no idea that there was even a paranormal romance genre until I picked up a copy of Writer’s Digest.

Then a friend suggested J.R. Ward. I respect my friend a lot and put it on my reading list. I looked for the book and couldn’t find it. I’m was at Borders searching through the Fantasy/Sci-Fi section. It made sense, that’s where I found Harrison and Armstrong.

I ended up having to ask for help and to my surprise, no it was shock and it was an embarrassing shock that I was led to the romance section.

The romance section?

I don’t get it. I’m looking for vampires and werewolves, not swash buckling pirates and billionaires on an emotional mend.

Well, I picked up book one, Dark Lover. Yeah, not my style. The red cover was cool though and I liked the dagger thingy. And my friend said it was good.

Dilemma.

Buy a romance book where others can see me. Pass on a book that an intelligent, respected friend told me was good.

Yikes, I felt like a 20 something man sent out to buy tampons for his chick. I swallowed, picked it up and bought the book with my head held high. I’m Lilia for god sake, I have no shame.

Ah, but I did and bought the book anyway. I can tell you right now I have no regrets and if there is any one out there who feels shame in buying it, give me the cash and I’ll do the buying.

So, here is my take on the Black Dagger Series. I’ve read all that’s out and am waiting on Ms. Ward to crank out the next few. There has to be a next few. There has to be.

The Black Dagger Brotherhood Series:

In Dark Lover we meet head vamp dude, Wrath. Yeah, it’s actually Wrath. It takes a bit to get used to the name, but you got to or else you won’t make it through this well written series. But hey his chick’s name is Beth so all is good.

I’ll admit, I came across the name and I wanted to dump the book, but I read on and ended up being hooked on the series. There’s passion in these pages, a nice love story and a masterful set up for the rest of the series that I didn’t really appreciate until book three. After a while my brain was trained to pick up on the cues.

I think I was assuming that the book was going to be pure trash. It wasn’t. Ward creates a sexy world that can easily integrate into ours. And the best part is that she sticks to her guns. None of her characters break the rules.

Whatever you want to say about the premise or the genre, you can’t say that it doesn’t follow its own law and really, that’s all a writer has to do to create a viable, believable alternate world and Ward does this with simple genius and won my cynical heart over. Simply put, I’m a fan. So I was revving for book two big time.

Book two, Lover Eternal, stars Rhage our super handsome vamp nick named Hollywood for his well, super good looks. He’s got some issues though, but what romance hero doesn’t have some issues? It’s all good though because the sweet, but apparently bland looking Mary Luce is coming to the rescue. Or is she? Can she save our cursed warrior?

I won’t tell you, but I can tell you this book is for the girl who doesn’t feel as beautiful, whose been through a lot of physical trauma and who doesn’t think she can stand next to a beautiful man and be loved. She can here. She can be a princess standing next to her true love.

And then we can have beauty and the beast.

Lover Awakened focuses on our dark, seemingly untrustworthy Zsadist. Zsadist has been through a lot. He is tormented to the point of true self hate and tries to push that out around him.

Bella though, the beautiful aristocratic vampire is drawn to him, wants him and to tell you the truth I didn’t get why.

Why bother with Zsadist? I don’t want to read about an ex-slave. I don’t want to deal with someone who does the D/s backwards. I want a strong man, not a man filled with bitter angst.

But you know, by the end of the book I cared. I wanted him to make it. I needed him and Bella to be something to each other even though…even though it would break someone’s heart. Speaking of hearts…


Hearts come together in book four. Lover Revealed cements Butch in the vamp clan. But who is Butch? Butch is the human cop from Beth’s past life. He’s found his way into the groove of the vamp war and has a special place in battling the Lessening Society.

Lessening Society?

They are the big bad and you get to know them from book one and you will get to know them, very well.

And we can’t forget love, humans are allowed to fall in love too aren’t they? You’ll have to read on to see if Butch can truly have a future with the vampire Marissa. Should she be with a human? Hasn’t she suffered enough shame?

Maybe. Maybe not. Maybe there is no shame.

But you gotta buy and you gotta read. If I buy the book for you though, there’ll be a cover charge.

This brings us to Vishous and Doc Jane. We’ve already met the domly Vishous. Yeah, I am talking about the kinky stuff. Yum. Yum. God damned Yum. But we meet Jane for the first time, a human doctor.

And of course there be trouble. Is there ever not any trouble?

Lover Unbound has to find a way to get the human Dr. together with Vishous who has this thing with his hand. Oh, but we learn why he has this thing with his hand and, and…I can’t tell you what happens, but it’s good. The story is fun and well, there’s sex.

I think getting laid is a very good thing.

And there are many, many good things about this series. The best parts are the characters. I like them. I care for them. I want to see them happy. And though Phury wasn’t my fav character in the bunch, by the end of book six, Lover Enshrined, he found a very special place in my heart.

Ward does a nice job with exploring addiction in this book. I wasn’t too keen on it at first, but watching Phury go through hell, understanding his life, his past, his problems with his twin, Zsadist, I couldn’t help but be captivated by his story.

I actually cried. I wept for this character and up until now I hadn’t been moved too far by anything in the series. I might have teared up. My heart might have gone out to the other characters, but none of them made me weep like Phury did. Everything else was relatively a fun ride. This book made me think.

This book made me sad. This book made me happy. This book satisfied in a way I hadn’t expected. I can’t wait for Ward to spin her magic again. The series has so far been a hard, fast romp, through a world I’m in love with. By no means have I shown you the true intricacy of the stories.

There are more characters to be had an more than a handful of connections to, that will keep you reading and reading. We still have John and his merry band of friends and what of our sympath? What is a sympath you ask? Sexy, is all you need to know and well I have to thank J. R. Ward for bringing me my first, true paranormal romance and for rocking my world.

You broke my cherry Ms. Ward and I loved every grinding minute of it. And I wanna do it some more.




Here’s the site. http://www.jrward.com/

Night Embrace: Book Three -Sherrilyn Kenyon

Not bad…I mean that in the good way, not the “whatever” kind of way. Night Embrace is about Talon who we me in Night Pleasures. He’s a good kind of guy and all Celtic. Ooooooo, how I love me a Celtic chieftain gone rogue.

Is the book sizzling hot? Did it chase me around the room screaming I want choo mama?

Not exactly.

This definitely reads as a transition book. It feels like you’re being set up for a lot of something else. That’s good because we know there’s more good stuff coming, but it does overload the senses a bit.

In this book we meet Zarek, Valerius, learn about two segments of the Katagaria, get some dish on Acheron, and have a gang load of new main character fodder for upcoming books.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining exactly. I don’t want you to think the book sucks, I just want you to understand some of you might get bogged down and all of you will need a score card to get through the who’s who of this series.

But a score card you will need, maybe a few charts and some colored markers. Hey, I could use a trip to Office Depot.

I loves me some office supplies.

But let’s hop that crack in the concrete for a moment. What else is wrong or right about this book?

Like so many romance novels, you’ll have to deal with the romance formula. I think I might beat that one to death, but it’s true and it’s real. So once again, if you can’t stomach the saccharine love a romance novel delivers go read some Stephen King to get your horror fix.

Better yet, munch on some Kim Harrison for a more general style. You’ll get some of this romancey stuff, but more in a Laurel K. Hamilton groove, but definitely more sophisticated than Hamilton can deliver.

I’m not here to do a Laurel K smackdown, but since I mentioned her let me say this.

“You’re a keen write Ms. Hamilton. I loved the vamp thing, but you lost me when you recycled Anita’s office for your fey chick. I’m not twelve and there is far too much sex for this to be written for teens. So please, don’t insult me by recycling your hash. You could have made her a bartender or something. That would have been more interesting.”

Umm okay…..I guess I have a few issues. I will jot that down for my next office visit.

So we were talking Kenyon and Night Embrace. Let’s cut to the chase.

Buy it.

Read it.

You’ll have to to get to book four, Dance with the Devil. Uh, I won’t mention the next main characters similarities to Wards’ Zsadist, nope, no slavery here, no scars and no bad attitude. Uh, no, no, no resemblance at all. Zarek. Zsadist. Hmmmm….

Okay, there is. I wonder who came first? Not sure it matters though, different worlds, different stories.

Hey didn’t I just yell at Laurel for recycling? Hey aren’t romance formulas recycling?

Yes to both, but you know recycling a genre is one thing, recycling yourself is just tacky.

Ouch.

I’m saying all of this with the notion I’ll never be famous cuz man if I get published and have to shake hands with any of these bitches I’m toast.

Let me say this before I continue to pretend focusing on Night Embrace.

There is nothing wrong with making money and if you have to recycle to send the pups to college, then do it. I know if I’m ever handed some 5 or more digit checks, I’d do it. Hell give me ten thousand I will eat whip cream off your dirty underwear.

Ew.

Oh yeah, the book.

Night Embrace also lets us get to know Sunshine from previous books better. Yes, the flighty artist who can’t seem to remember anything. Initially I was almost offended by this stereotype, but Kenyon eased up and Sunshine because a character not an overused sketch of one. (Ha, ha sketch. I have so little to be proud of…)

Talon himself is his own cliché, but a mother fucking hot one. You can cliché me over and over again with this hot stud. Ooooooooh, yeah, a little over to the left baby!

Shoot. I really need to focus.

The best part of this book is the integration of past and present. That’s all I can really say about Kenyon’s spin on this couple. The predicament brings up some real questions that real couple will have. So, despite all the fantasy based super hunter shit going on, it’s got some reality threaded in there. Some.

Yay for reality!!!!! Yay for some!!!!!

All in all, I felt for the characters. I was concerned about them and best of all I liked them. It doesn’t matter if you’ve walked the path before, the scenery is different and man do I really love to look at it. So like I said, buy it, read it. I’m out. Read happy.


© 2008

Night Pleasures: Book Two: Sherrilyn Kenyon

Sherrilyn Kenyon did not disappoint. Night Pleasures was a fun frolic and the Fantasy Lover tie in is actually worth it. Well, for those who need to know. J

The novel, like so many paranormal romances follows the basic romance formula, but it’s not in your face. I didn’t sit through my read going “yada, yada I know, pain, love, betrayal. Okay, get on with it!!!” I actually wanted to know and actually had a few heartfelt “Oh my god I can’t believe…”

Of course I didn’t have to believe anything. I am reading a fictional book after all, but you know I wanted to believe. I sank into the main characters easily, wanted them to be happy, wanted them to persevere and…they did, or didn’t or????? Do all romances end on a happy note?

I don’t know you tell me.

Anyway, so far I'm liking this a tad better than J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood, which isn’t bad at all. Ward is an awesome writer and the Black Dagger Brotherhood series is well written and stood by it’s own truth. But…

But, Kenyon’s characters are more believable. (Yeah, because immortal vampires who dance around with the gods is soooooo believable.)

First, the names are not out of this world whacked in the head. I really, really had to struggle to get used to the names Ward tossed out, Vishous, Zsadist, Rhage… I didn’t get over it until book three and Ward herself noted the oddity of it.

Kenyon has some fantastic names, but those that might end up the name of one of your kids or a hippie co-worker. (Or more likely, one of your Ren Faire geek buddies.) Hunter, Talon, Kyrian, Jullian, Tabith, Acheron…some a little over the top, but hey they sound kewl.

Secondly, since I have to have one now that I set it up that way, secondly, the interactions with humans lets the reader fall into the sense that “This could be happening now.” And I really love that in a book. I really love when my imagination can take off and wonder if it’s all real.

And though some might scoff at the over the top romance genre style, at least these writer’s don’t ruin my literary Wa by suddenly making my fav vamp a rock star. (That’s right Anne, I’ll never forgive you for that. Do stick with your Christian books, because honey you really, really know how to ruin a grand story. Thanks for “preternatural” though. It’s a nice word. And grudglingly…you’re books were normally a great ride until the bitter end. And I do mean bitter, but I’ll get over it.)

Anywho ladies and vamps, I’m off to read Night Embrace. Here’s hoping Kenyon continues to deliver because my paranormal loving ass has already bought most of the series.



For the reading order and anyting Dark Hunter visit http://www.dailyinquisitor.com/hunter/intro.htm

The Immortals Series: Ashley,Popp & Nash

These are quickie reviews from my “other journal”. They weren’t written for in-depth analysis, but I’m too far gone from these to give you that now. So please take these little bits and run as wild as you want with them. -Lilia


Immortals: The Calling by Jennifer Ashley

When I first dipped into this series I thought, ‘They covers are way too cliché”. But hey who am I to talk? These covers have won awards.

I went ahead and read this despite myself. I after all had ordered them and they were a part of my book club deal.

Well, I loved the hero in this book. Adrian is the eldest of his immortal clan and I found him sexy, stylish and an all around yummy kind of guy. The book was a good read, full of fun, frolic and just enough danger to wet my appetite. I will admit, the book was a little on the light side of my horror fetish, but I could deal because it hit a few other of my fetishes. *wink, wink*

My only worry is that this currently four book series isn’t written by a single authour. We have Robin T. Popp coming in as second hitter with Joy Nash coming in behind, just short of this four string finish. Ashley comes in to end the current onslaught.

So, it’s hard to say if this series is worth it. So far, so good though.


Immortals: The Darkening by Robin T. Popp

This isn’t so bad says the big worrier.

Popp takes us to New York in a continuation of the demon dilemma. I won’t go too much into the dilemma, but all you need to know is that it isn’t good and our heroes are out to stop it.
Popp is our apparent writer for this one, grabbed the stick and handled it well. Um yeah, no double meanings there. Anyway, the story moves along well. I liked the new Immortal introduced in this one and the heroine isn’t so bad either. My only complaint is that they lack true depth.
Popp isn’t a bad writer and though the characters are not one dimensional, I’m not addicted to them. I enjoyed them, but I don’t yearn to see them again, unlike Adrian and Amber from the first book. I would have like to have cared more.
Is this the fault of the writer or limitations built in by the star author in this series? (Is there an star authour?)
In any case the second book doesn’t have the same depth as the first one, but like I said it’s not a bad ride. All in all, I enjoyed the book.
The story isn’t as tight as I would have liked it. There are some plot movers that could have been better done, but I kept reading. It’s paced well. It’s fun.
Now, I’m off to book three, Immortals: The Awakening. Joy Nash is the author and I have no idea how well she writes or which Immortal we’ll meet. I’m expecting this one will blatantly follow the romance formula like the preceding volumes. I’m cool with that. I’m not looking to read Voltaire at the moment. Though I wonder what kind of romance novel he’d produce?


Immortals: The Awakening by Joy Nash

Joy Nash, a writer with two other books under her belt, The Grail King and Celtic Fire is our driver this ride. I haven’t read her other books, but based on this one, she probably writes classic romance novels.

The third installment in this series was enjoyable, but doesn’t scream through the cities with demon chases and mayhem through out. It has its doses as required by the overall storyline, but the book is mainly a romance novel and nothing more.

I have to say I loved the heroine, Christine, far more than the last one, Lexi. I don’t know, maybe I’m tired of bounty hunters? Christine is an artist and the underlying theme of art and the classic world is a nice change from the modern crunch of the other two books.

And I have to say, if I’m going to read romance I like mine with bloody pending doom in the back ground. Saving the world is more fun than protecting someone’s reputation and hating, but falling in love with your foe any day.

Overall I will give the book a thumbs-up. Even if you don’t like the super romancey feel of the book, I don’t think it’s enough of a deterrent to bypass the whole series. But then again, if you abhor romances, stay away. This installment will grate you nerves and make you a tad sick.

Me, I like the sex scenes and would do this immortal any day. J



Immortals: The Gathering by Jennifer Ashley

Was good. I can’t say it was spectacular. I can’t say that it didn’t have a lot going on. I can say that it could’ve been a little more spine tingling than it was.

But that happens a lot when you create such a big bad.

Was the big bad thwarted?

Of course, he was.

Or was he????

Most romance novels don’t end on a sad note, but this one kind of does. But then again, it’s not really the end of the series.
Next month we have Immortals: The Redeeming followed by Immortals: The Crossing in October then Immortals: The Haunting in November and Immortals: The Reckoning in March 2009.

With three authors it’s easy to spin the books out at this fast pace.

Somehow the conveyor belt feeling of the series bothers me. It’s just me I know. There is nothing wrong with making a quick buck and feeding the romance hungry while you’re at it. It certainly beats waiting and waiting for the next volume to come out,

Anyway, though I’m not ripping my panties off for this series I will read the rest of it. I really do like many of the characters presented and would love to see where this group of writers takes them and how far and most importantly what toils and troubles will we come across?

And almost on a side note. The pagans out there should hunt this one down and read them all with a breath of fresh air. They don’t make the witchy poos look like freaks. They make them look fun, cool and albeit exciting. There will be no need to sage the bedroom when you done with these. J



If you want to keep up on Immortals comings and goings check out http://www.immortals-series.com/