Showing posts with label author: jeaniene frost. Show all posts
Showing posts with label author: jeaniene frost. Show all posts
July 6, 2017
Broken Destiny 2: The Sweetest Burn
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Still not entirely impressed with these characters. The story itself moved faster and was at least interesting enough that it was a quick read. Managed to finish it in a day (a holiday at that when I was mostly out and about visiting family or doing things with the kids). With another hallowed item to find, I'm not surprised there is another book in the series. Not sure how I think it will end.
View all my reviews
March 24, 2017
Night Prince 4: Into the Fire
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
It seems like it's been a long time since I read the last Night Prince book. Still, I was excited when this one finally came out. There are still questions at the end, especially when it comes to Mircea and his relationship with Vlad, let alone his spell link with Leila. Veritas seems to be similar to both Mencheres and Leila when it comes to special abilities outside the normal vampire purview. We get some answers as far as Leila's heritage, and have seen bits of Mencheres story throughout both Night Prince and other Night Huntress world books. Regardless, it's interesting to see how Leila steps up to these challenges and just how well she fits with Vlad. In the end, can't help but just be glad they survived another fight and are still together.
View all my reviews
July 19, 2016
Broken Destiny 1: The Beautiful Ashes
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
I actually originally put this book down and came back to it months later, starting over from the beginning. The start is very slow to draw in, which can be a problem for me as reading time is scarce with two kiddos running around. If I'm not drawn into the story, I'm not going to struggle through it the way I might have attempted when reading time was more readily available. It does get better as it goes on, but it doesn't really start moving until nearly the end, at which point it's obvious this is a series that will be building on itself over time. Between Adrian, Ivy, and Zach, I'm not sure who is more aggravating for various reasons. Overall though, it's probably actually Ivy who is handling things the best given she's just been thrust into all of this rather forcefully and very unwanted. Zach's "orders" get old all too quickly and Adrian has too many issues to count, not the least being how hard it is to get any sort of information from him to actual form any sort of steady opinion. Aggravating. I'd be willing to give the second book a try if it starts off with the same momentum the book finished with. However, if it trails in like this one did, the series might be lost for me.
View all my reviews
February 4, 2015
Night Huntress 07: Up From the Grave
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This should be read before Bound By Flames, though I read the other first. There are things in the other that make a lot more sense after having read this one. Cat and Bones have never had a very easy relationship, despite their obviously strong connection. This book is no different and it reveals another side even of Cat's own family that is both shocking and horrifying at the same time. Add in some demon mix and another tangle with the Law Guardians... you have a right awful mess. A little surprised Cat didn't still talk to Vlad about the situation after his wedding, but I suppose she was being a good friend on that score. That scene takes us back to Twice Tempted, so I guess this is best read between the two of those. It does feel a little weird to think all of the Night Huntress world books will either be from Night Prince, which is now confirmed to have at least one more book coming, or from the general World series since Cat and Bones stories have ended. Overall it is not the ending expected, and I'm sure takes some adjusting for all the characters involved. Still, it is definitely an unexpected twist and gives the duo a good reason to disappear from the field for a very long time.
View all my reviews
February 2, 2015
Night Prince 3: Bound by Flames
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I remember tearing through the first two books pretty quick once I got my hands on them. This one was another fast read, though somehow both as satisfying and not at the same time. Though we do get a glimpse of Cat and Bones this time around, there's none of the friendship and witty banter that makes these allies a lot of fun. Part of that can be attributed to their respective stress (Cat & Bones for their daughter and Vlad for his wife). Still, it leaves the feeling of something being lacking.
There is some minor progress between Leila and her father, though it's started off more forced than either of them probably wanted. Maximus is back in the picture as well, which is surprising. I can't decide at this point if I feel bad for him or just think he's stupid. If nothing else, I am glad Leila had kind of a secret quarterback when she was held and tortured... she really might not have escaped alive otherwise. Also doesn't help that she's still having rather significant problems with her powers, even if it does seem more of them are back now than before.
The ending though... really?! As if defeating one immortal enemy wasn't enough. One thing is for sure - Vlad has a very messed up family.
View all my reviews
August 26, 2013
Night Huntress 6.5: Home For The Holidays
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I'd read the intro for this as a teaser in another book, so it started off as familiar. Bones is seriously out of character for this one, though that is later explained by the mistaken belief that vampires can't be possessed. Cat is the only one who really sees a lot of action or thought through this, despite that it revolves around Bone's birthday and family. Annette was a serious disappointment this time around. Bones didn't exactly get what he had hoped for from his birthday. At least he was still a good sport from the start about Cat throwing the part for him; notice Vlad was the one Master Vampire we're familiar with who was not there (because he's Cat's friend but he and Bones are constantly at odds).
View all my reviews
July 30, 2013
Night Prince 2: Twice Tempted
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Knew these two couldn't stay apart, and not just from having seen them together in Night Huntress. Maximus and Shrapnel make the disappointing pair for the book. Also rather annoyed with Leila's dad, especially with how her sister has handled everything. Vlad really opens up a lot when it comes to his relationship with Leila, which is the only thing that saves them initially beyond their obvious draw to each other. Knew she'd be turned at some point, though didn't expect it to happen exactly like that. Once again, this book leaves the series at a bit of a cliff hanger, where you know there's a lot more to come but can't reach it yet. The next book needs to be out now, but there isn't even an expected publication date listed. Need the rest of this story soon!
View all my reviews
Night Prince 1: Once Burned
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
For some reason, I thought I had already read this when I went through the Night Huntress originally. The introduction didn't help any as Leila sounded extremely familiar, until I realized I'd already seen her in the other series. After that, things started falling into place and I was able to enjoy it for what it was. There is one very brief moment when Bones and Cat come to visit that you see a glimpse of the Vlad he is in the other series being Cat's friend and ally. Otherwise, he is very much Dracula, despite his aversion to the name.
Leila really could have, and should have been, explored a bit more deeply. For all that she is a very strong and self aware feminine character, she obviously has a lot of history and complications that really get ghosted over. Maybe not so much as thousands of years background that the older vampires come with, but we still seem to get more of their stories than hers. This is an odd contrast with the fact that she and Vlad are the main characters for the series.
That being said, the ending is a bit of a twist. These two are so great together, and yet at the same time she had all her reasons lined up just right for walking away. Obviously something is in the works since Vlad let her go unpunished again. Now for round two!
View all my reviews
October 15, 2012
Night Huntress World 2: Eternal Kiss of Darkness
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Mencheres wouldn't be my first pick for a romantic lead in this series, but Kira is a great contrast to him that makes the story more interesting, especially as she not only turns his world upside down, but also digs into his past more than we've ever glimpsed previously. Radje does an excellent job playing the villain as it seems his end can't come soon enough. This story also answers how Bones and Cat already know Veritas on good terms when it comes to the ghoul war. They certainly weren't on good terms after Cat barely managed to dodge a death sentence herself earlier in the series. Can't help but wonder if Ian or Vlad are next the way they're pairing off all the older main male vampires in the series.
View all my reviews
October 12, 2012
Night Huntress World 1: First Drop of Crimson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Oddly I enjoyed this book more than the last few books of the main series. It was nice to get some deeper looks at Denise and Spade, and especially to fill in the blanks about their blooming relationship and Denise's species adjustments that are mentioned in the other books. Interesting that Denise seemed to suddenly get over her PTSD so quickly. Other than that, a lot of similarities between her story and Spade's, which is suggested to be why they accept their situation and fall together so quickly despite all the reasons they should be running for opposite hills. Overall, fast paced and enjoyable while still including all the main characters and giving a different focus with more development.
View all my reviews
October 10, 2012
Night Huntress 6: One Grave at a Time
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Again, not much in the way of overall development. Tate is demoted, Madden (his replacement), is an over controlling idiot who does nothing but mess things up. Don seems to have accepted being a ghost, or at least doesn't seem to have time to worry about it while trying to figure out what Madden is up to stepping into his old role while withholding information from Cat and Bones... again. You would think he would have learned by now that it was a bad idea, though now that he's a ghost they can't just read it from his mind either. Figured out long before it was revealed in the book that Cat was the last target - a little slow there? The whole fight against a ghost thing was rather overly dramatic and the theme (the Inquisitor constantly spouting nonsense from the witch hunts) is boring by the end as he sounds like a broken record. Very little in the realm of development with any of the relationships except for maybe Justina quitting the government team to leave with Cat - the most support she's shown for a long time since Cat threw in with the vampires indefinitely. Guess next up is tackling the Madden problem?
View all my reviews
October 6, 2012
Night Huntress 5: This Side of the Grave
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Cat wasn't odd enough absorbing power from vampire blood, now she can also borrow a ghoul's power. The twist with Don becoming a ghost was somewhat predictable as well. Either he'd be turned against his will like Justina, or being a ghost was the only alternative to keep him around. Majestic is as creepy as ever the way she knows things, controls the remnants, and just happens to be there at the right time to become queen over all the ghouls. Here's hoping her strange alliance with Cat continues or they'd be in a heap of trouble. Denise's abilities are also new. That story must be in one of the Night Huntress World books. Would make more sense to the story if they were chronological in the same series. I guess because they don't feature Cat and Bones they are considered a side series. Strange since many of the short stories in the series also don't focus on the main pair. Inconsistent at best.
View all my reviews
October 4, 2012
Night Huntress 4: Destined for an Early Grave
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
So not only does it turn out Cat is already married to another vampire, thus supposedly nullifying her bond to Bones, but she also crosses over to officially become a vampire - unlike any other vampire ever heard of before. It makes sense once her differences are analyzed later on in the book, but it's still a strange twist. The fight against the dreamsnatcher to stay with Bones is also somewhat predictable and beyond volatile. Bones loses major points in this book along the way, though he does redeem himself somewhat when it's revealed to have been a ruse, not true action, to hopefully end the war. Makes it sort of sad that none of his grand schemes really ended up working after all. Cat seems to cop out at every corner, first blaming the pills for her erratic behavior and then acting like a child running away from Bones when he's trying his hardest to get back to her - which he then turns around and screws up himself. These two really need to get their act together - fast! Cat got off lucky in this book - in too many ways to count.
View all my reviews
Night Huntress 3.5: Devil to Pay
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
This short story feathers Elise, a vampire from Mechaneres' line, and Blake, a human possessed by a demon. Once again, the only time you see Bones or Cat is when they're sent to pick up Elise and Blake in the beginning of the story. Otherwise it's all about the developing relationship between these two and if Blake will have to die to stop the demon for good or if they find a way to save him so they can be together after all. A interesting short, as it does give some demon info that is otherwise lacking in the story, but otherwise doesn't add anything to the main line of development at all.
View all my reviews
October 3, 2012
Night Huntress 3: At Grave's End
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This series really needs to work on fluidity. They constantly hop between work missions, assassination attempts, and torturous interrogations. It's sometimes hard to remember where they're located at different points in the story as they keep hopping around. Realistically with vampire law and previous circumstances, Patra shouldn't have even been around to be a problem as she was in this book. Bones supposed death and new powers reviving him is also a little far stretched and overly dramatic. The parallel drawn between Cat and Vlad's wife is also stretched incredibly thin - jumping to avoid capture during war after your husband/king is dead and jumping just out grief are very different motivators. Tate is also still stretching the line way too much. Either they need to move him or get rid of him for good rather than just talking about it - rinse and repeat every time conflict arises on that front. Still do like Bones/Cat, but there needs to be a bit more fluidity and actual growth in these books before they'll be really great.
View all my reviews
October 2, 2012
Night Huntress 2: One Foot in the Grave
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Bones finally catches up with Cat, now known as the Red Reaper among the vampires. It certainly doesn't help their situation that she's unexpectedly tangled herself with Bones' sire, Ian, who now wants her for himself. Didn't see the twist with her father coming and had actually forgotten the mention in the short story I read previously that Don was her uncle, so missed that as the hunt for the contractor continued. Cat seems to finally be coming around and getting things together, but still has a ways to go. It's amazing Bones has put up with her this long, though still can't help but admire his honesty and determination, especially considering what he is and what he faces to be with her. Very odd marriage ceremony stuck in there towards the end. It actually seemed for a moment that Cat was going to completely forget about it and walk away again to get her revenge; pleasantly surprised on that score. It will be interesting to see how that new dynamic adds to the emotional drama.
View all my reviews
October 1, 2012
Night Huntress 1.5: Happily Never After
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
This books is interesting, but also somewhat disheartening as it pulls away from either of the main characters and instead focuses on Chance, one of Bone's old friends and a descendant of his line. The only time you see Bones is in the beginning when he says he's turning the job over to a friend of his because he's currently looking for someone (hopefully Cat), and at the end when he helps them escape the police raid. Cat is never seen or mentioned at all behind the allusion that Bones may be looking for her, and even that you'd only know if you'd read the first one to understand why he'd be searching for anyone in the first place. An interesting side-story, but it really did nothing to further the series at all. It's yet to be seen if either of these characters will tie into the main story further down the road as neither was mentioned in the first book.
View all my reviews
Night Huntress 1: Halfway to the Grave
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
The book was decent, but lacked a lot of information that felt like it should have been here. Bones is a fun character, but Cat feels half-formed like she doesn't really know what she's doing despite her bravado and strength. Their relationship takes very strange twists and turns that often seem unfathomable until you remember these two aren't human, so maybe that attributes to their very inhuman reaction to things. Overall they show a lot of potential for an interesting pair, but it appears a lot of things will have to be worked out before they can even get back together, let alone prove anything to anyone else. Doesn't help that Cat has painted such a nice little target on herself.
View all my reviews
Night Huntress 0.5: Reckoning
My rating: 1 of 5 stars
This is a prequel clip about Bones hunting two ghouls who are mass murderers in New Orleans. Prior to the time when he meets Cat, he becomes involved with Becca, who of course ends up being the murderer's final victim. Her final state before death that Bones finds her in is especially chilling. Overall not a lot of detail and certainly no huge connection as he only ended up with Becca because she had seen the killers and was more guilty for her fate than anything else. Hopefully the rest of the series will be more engaging.
View all my reviews
September 27, 2012
Magic Graves
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
So many series in this book. I'm not nearly as far in Night Huntress as Kate Daniels, so I kind of feel like some of that was spoiled for me, though at the same time it makes me want to go back and catch up on that series sooner rather than later.
Night Huntress 4.5: One for the Money by Jeaniene Frost
I'd actually already read this in it's previous publication, Death's Excellent Vacation, though I'd forgotten as at the time I don't think I'd started the series so the connection didn't click. It was far more enjoyable this time through actually being somewhat familiar with the characters.
Kate Daniels 0.5: A Questionable Client by Ilona Andrews
This short was the reason I read this book in the first place. The prequel to the Kate Daniels series, this little snippet explained a lot about the tension and comments that often bounce between Kate and Saiman. It does feel to be lacking something though as Curran is very noticeably absent in this little snippet. He really does add an element to the series that makes it even more enjoyable.
Not going to comment on the preview chapters of later books as I will be or have read them, so they will have their own reviews.
This includes the following stories:
- Edge 3: Fate's Edge (first 2 chapters) by Ilona Andrews
- Kate Daniels 3.5: Magic Mourns (first 2 chapters) by Ilona Andrews
- Kate Daniels 4.5: One for the Money by Ilona Andrews
- Night Huntress 0.5: A Questionable Client by Jeaniene Frost
- Night Huntress 6.5: Home for the Holidays (first 3 chapters) by Jeaniene Frost
- Night Prince 1: Once Burned (sneak peak) by Jeaniene Frost
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)