Author: Angela Knight
Title: Warrior (Time Hunters series, #1)
Genre: Futuristic Romance
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
ISBN: 9780425220849
The Romance Author's Verdict: 4/5 Stars
Blurb:
In the 24th century, anyone can leap through time at will. To police the time jumpers, the Temporal Enforcement Agency has established a precinct in time. Galar Arvid is a genetically altered warlord and agent who’s been sent back to 2008 to save a pretty Atlanta artist from a Xeran time traveler who intends to kill her for profit. What Galar doesn’t count on is the powerful desire Jessica Kelly ignites in him. But could a romance between them work? A three-hundred-year chasm separates them and, even if they dart through time, there’s still a maniacal killer on their tails.
I've heard mixed things about Angela Knight, some people really love her and others have said she's only so-so. I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked up this book, but I was looking for something sci-fi-ish so decided to give it a go.
I think this book could have been fantastic. It is good, I'll give you that, but it was like a really great idea got mushed together with a cliche romance and the result was something that swung back and forth between "wow, I can't put this down" and "eh, what a surprise, they're having sex. *skipping pages*"
The story was what kept me going, the b-grade romance I could have done without. Galar (and I had a real issue with his name, that partly put me off) was a bit stereo-typical. He was all tough and warrior-like (hence the title) and had a bad-ass reputation. He'd been burned by a previous girlfriend and carried all the usual issues of an Alpha-Male-Betrayed-By-Ex-And-Now-Only-Wants-Sex-With-No-Strings-Attached. Of course he decided that the heroine he'd been tasked with protecting, Jessica, wouldn't be around for all that long, so he was going to scratch his itch and then send her on her way. And we all know how that always ends up turning out. Surprise! He started having feelings for her so things became complicated.
In this book's defense, the Time Hunter element really intrigues me, so I will be off to read the next books in the series, and some of Ms. Knights other books such as Warfem and Jane's Warlord. I'm just really hoping next time I get a better romance element out of the story.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Review: Succubus Blues by Richelle Mead
Author: Richelle Mead
Title: Succubus Blues (Georgina Kincaid series, #1)
Genre: Urban Fantasy (with romantic elements)
Publisher: Zebra Fantasy (Imprint of Kensington)
ISBN: 9780758216410
The Romance Author's Verdict: 5/5 Stars
Blurb:
Succubus (n.) An alluring, shape-shifting demon who seduces and pleasures mortal men. Pathetic (adj.) A succubus with great shoes and no social life. See: Georgina Kincaid.
When it comes to jobs in hell, being a succubus seems pretty glamorous. A girl can be anything she wants, the wardrobe is killer, and mortal men will do anything just for a touch. Granted, they often pay with their souls, but why get technical?
But Seattle succubus Georgina Kincaid's life is far less exotic. Her boss is a middle-management demon with a thing for John Cusack movies. Her immortal best friends haven't stopped teasing her about the time she shape-shifted into the Demon Goddess getup complete with whip and wings. And she can't have a decent date without sucking away part of the guy's life. At least there's her day job at a local bookstore--free books; all the white chocolate mochas she can drink; and easy access to bestselling, sexy writer, Seth Mortensen, aka He Whom She Would Give Anything to Touch but Can't.
But dreaming about Seth will have to wait. Something wicked is at work in Seattle's demon underground. And for once, all of her hot charms and drop-dead one-liners won't help because Georgina's about to discover there are some creatures out there that both heaven and hell want to deny...
I've had this book sitting on my To-Be-Read pile for about a year, if not longer. I've looked at it a number of times and considered whether or not to pick it up. You see, I've read all of Ms. Mead's Vampire Academy books and absolutely loved them. I had high expectations when it came to Succubus Blues and I was scared of being disappointed. It happens often enough.
But finally this week I thought "suck it up, princess!" and grabbed it down from the shelf. And the verdict, you're wondering? Well, you can already see I've given it 5/5 stars, so that should answer your question!
Seriously, though, I am impressed that Ms. Mead's writing style can lead itself so well to both Young Adult and Adult fiction. I could see the similarities that marked this as a Richelle Mead book, as well as the differences in voice between the two singular markets. I've read a lot of paranormal romance and urban fantasy. Ms Mead's world in Succubus Blues was a refreshing change to the usual parade of vampires, werewolves, and shapeshifters. I also loved the complexity of her world. There's no hard line between good and evil. In fact, in this book, an angel and a demon are best-buds and they regularly hang out with two vampires, an imp, and of course Georgina, the succubus.
Speaking of Georgina, she is the kind of heroine I love to read. Outwardly she's beautiful and confident, yet inside she is a mess of confliction and confusion. Though she is a succubus, she was also very human, I suppose because she once was one.
I think this is one point authors often miss with characterization. Its the flaws in a character that we as readers, as people with feelings, connect with. Sometimes a character will have virtually no flaws, or their flaws are superficial and thus make the character seem shallow. I've said on this blog a few times that I want the nitty-gritty, I want to see the deep dark inside the character. How else are we going to get to know them, to form a bond that will keep us turning page after page? Georgina hid nothing, held nothing back. She had insecurities, she obssessed over her past mistakes, she grappled with regret, she often didn't know what the best course of action was, doubting and questioning herself and the motives of those around her. But she also had moments of real heart, of love toward others and kindness of spirit, despite being a servant of hell.
Okay, maybe I'm rambling a bit. But writers, if you want a study in forming a successful character your readers will connect with, then read a Richelle Mead book. Readers, if you want a fantastic urban fantasy, then Succubus Blues hits all the right notes. I'm off to the library to find the next book in the series...
Title: Succubus Blues (Georgina Kincaid series, #1)
Genre: Urban Fantasy (with romantic elements)
Publisher: Zebra Fantasy (Imprint of Kensington)
ISBN: 9780758216410
The Romance Author's Verdict: 5/5 Stars
Blurb:
Succubus (n.) An alluring, shape-shifting demon who seduces and pleasures mortal men. Pathetic (adj.) A succubus with great shoes and no social life. See: Georgina Kincaid.
When it comes to jobs in hell, being a succubus seems pretty glamorous. A girl can be anything she wants, the wardrobe is killer, and mortal men will do anything just for a touch. Granted, they often pay with their souls, but why get technical?
But Seattle succubus Georgina Kincaid's life is far less exotic. Her boss is a middle-management demon with a thing for John Cusack movies. Her immortal best friends haven't stopped teasing her about the time she shape-shifted into the Demon Goddess getup complete with whip and wings. And she can't have a decent date without sucking away part of the guy's life. At least there's her day job at a local bookstore--free books; all the white chocolate mochas she can drink; and easy access to bestselling, sexy writer, Seth Mortensen, aka He Whom She Would Give Anything to Touch but Can't.
But dreaming about Seth will have to wait. Something wicked is at work in Seattle's demon underground. And for once, all of her hot charms and drop-dead one-liners won't help because Georgina's about to discover there are some creatures out there that both heaven and hell want to deny...
I've had this book sitting on my To-Be-Read pile for about a year, if not longer. I've looked at it a number of times and considered whether or not to pick it up. You see, I've read all of Ms. Mead's Vampire Academy books and absolutely loved them. I had high expectations when it came to Succubus Blues and I was scared of being disappointed. It happens often enough.
But finally this week I thought "suck it up, princess!" and grabbed it down from the shelf. And the verdict, you're wondering? Well, you can already see I've given it 5/5 stars, so that should answer your question!
Seriously, though, I am impressed that Ms. Mead's writing style can lead itself so well to both Young Adult and Adult fiction. I could see the similarities that marked this as a Richelle Mead book, as well as the differences in voice between the two singular markets. I've read a lot of paranormal romance and urban fantasy. Ms Mead's world in Succubus Blues was a refreshing change to the usual parade of vampires, werewolves, and shapeshifters. I also loved the complexity of her world. There's no hard line between good and evil. In fact, in this book, an angel and a demon are best-buds and they regularly hang out with two vampires, an imp, and of course Georgina, the succubus.
Speaking of Georgina, she is the kind of heroine I love to read. Outwardly she's beautiful and confident, yet inside she is a mess of confliction and confusion. Though she is a succubus, she was also very human, I suppose because she once was one.
I think this is one point authors often miss with characterization. Its the flaws in a character that we as readers, as people with feelings, connect with. Sometimes a character will have virtually no flaws, or their flaws are superficial and thus make the character seem shallow. I've said on this blog a few times that I want the nitty-gritty, I want to see the deep dark inside the character. How else are we going to get to know them, to form a bond that will keep us turning page after page? Georgina hid nothing, held nothing back. She had insecurities, she obssessed over her past mistakes, she grappled with regret, she often didn't know what the best course of action was, doubting and questioning herself and the motives of those around her. But she also had moments of real heart, of love toward others and kindness of spirit, despite being a servant of hell.
Okay, maybe I'm rambling a bit. But writers, if you want a study in forming a successful character your readers will connect with, then read a Richelle Mead book. Readers, if you want a fantastic urban fantasy, then Succubus Blues hits all the right notes. I'm off to the library to find the next book in the series...
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Review: The Last Warrior by Susan Grant
Author: Susan Grant
Title: The Last Warrior
Genre: Science fiction / fantasy romance
Publisher: HQN (imprint of Harlequin Mills & Boons)
ISBN: 9780373775422
The Romance Author's Verdict: 4/5 Stars
As a decorated soldier, the young General Tao knows only one kind of honor—to his people. But when his own king betrays him, he discovers that his sacrifices, his successes, may not have been for the good of the country at all.
Fate—and his enemies—throw him together with Elsabeth, a red-haired beauty who has served as the royal tutor. Her loyalties, though, remain with her father's people, the rebellious Kurel, who worship the old ways, even harboring the forbidden arks that brought the Kurel to this planet ages ago. When a threat greater than their peoples' war looms, intent on destroying the world they both know, the fierce warrior and the sensitive scholar must unite. Together, they must fight for their planet, for their world and for their love.
The first Susan Grant book I ever read was The Legend of Banzai Maguire, book one in the 2176 series. It was a great book, so I went out and got some other Susan Grant books. Unfortunately, I feel the other books I read by Ms. Grant haven't been quite as good. I'm not saying her other books aren't good -- they are, she's a talented writer. And so I keep buying her books on the hope another story will capture me like that first one did. Obviously so far, Banzai Maguire is my favorite.
But I'm supposed to be talking about The Last Warrior. Though this is a romance published by HQN, I felt the relationship between Tao, a General falsely charged with treason, and Elsabeth, took a backseat to the world building and story of Tao's fight to clear his name -- also not necessarily a bad thing. I quite enjoyed this world, the different factions, and the history of how the current situation on the planet came to be. While I found it a bit slow going at the start, the story built into a really great ending, with a character acting very unexpectedly to tie everything up fairly nicely.
There aren't that many big name sci-fi romance authors around, though slowly we are starting to see more into the mainstream romance publishers (though not enough for my liking!), but Ms Grant has certainly made a name for herself as a successful SFR author.
If you're looking to venture into this genre, or already love it and haven't tried Ms. Grant yet, then I can definitely recommend picking up one of her books. The Last Warrior is a satisfying read.
Title: The Last Warrior
Genre: Science fiction / fantasy romance
Publisher: HQN (imprint of Harlequin Mills & Boons)
ISBN: 9780373775422
The Romance Author's Verdict: 4/5 Stars
As a decorated soldier, the young General Tao knows only one kind of honor—to his people. But when his own king betrays him, he discovers that his sacrifices, his successes, may not have been for the good of the country at all.
Fate—and his enemies—throw him together with Elsabeth, a red-haired beauty who has served as the royal tutor. Her loyalties, though, remain with her father's people, the rebellious Kurel, who worship the old ways, even harboring the forbidden arks that brought the Kurel to this planet ages ago. When a threat greater than their peoples' war looms, intent on destroying the world they both know, the fierce warrior and the sensitive scholar must unite. Together, they must fight for their planet, for their world and for their love.
The first Susan Grant book I ever read was The Legend of Banzai Maguire, book one in the 2176 series. It was a great book, so I went out and got some other Susan Grant books. Unfortunately, I feel the other books I read by Ms. Grant haven't been quite as good. I'm not saying her other books aren't good -- they are, she's a talented writer. And so I keep buying her books on the hope another story will capture me like that first one did. Obviously so far, Banzai Maguire is my favorite.
But I'm supposed to be talking about The Last Warrior. Though this is a romance published by HQN, I felt the relationship between Tao, a General falsely charged with treason, and Elsabeth, took a backseat to the world building and story of Tao's fight to clear his name -- also not necessarily a bad thing. I quite enjoyed this world, the different factions, and the history of how the current situation on the planet came to be. While I found it a bit slow going at the start, the story built into a really great ending, with a character acting very unexpectedly to tie everything up fairly nicely.
There aren't that many big name sci-fi romance authors around, though slowly we are starting to see more into the mainstream romance publishers (though not enough for my liking!), but Ms Grant has certainly made a name for herself as a successful SFR author.
If you're looking to venture into this genre, or already love it and haven't tried Ms. Grant yet, then I can definitely recommend picking up one of her books. The Last Warrior is a satisfying read.
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