Showing posts with label series: den of shadows. Show all posts
Showing posts with label series: den of shadows. Show all posts
August 9, 2016
Den of Shadows 6: Token of Darkness
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
It's part of the Den of Shadows series, but unlike any other book so far. Most of the books have at least one vampire as a main character. They aren't even mentioned this time around. While there are "witches" in this book, they are more self-made than the born witches with various abilities and tools that are part of the vampire world. The entire ghost/elemental concept is also entirely new. Personally, I think this should be considered a stand alone book as it doesn't fit into the rest as a series at all. In some ways, it a refreshing change of pace. In others, with no tie in to the rest of the books and no movement after this book in any sequels, it feels short and disjointed. Almost like it doesn't have a place the way Samantha didn't until towards the end of the book. Cooper is easy to like and be annoyed with at the same time as he doesn't have much of a spine despite the whole "ex-football player" thing repeated constantly. Delilah and Ryan are also hard to like for various reasons. Probably the most character draw comes from Brent, and he's more of a side character that is involved but wishes he wasn't all at the same time.
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August 8, 2016
Den of Shadows 5: Persistence of Memory
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Erin is so confused about everything that it makes it very hard to get into her character. You get hints through the various other characters around her that obviously are not human, but it isn't until the very end when it all comes together. While there's a little bit of everything (vampire, shifter, witch) in the mix here, there is no one that really stands out. Overall the story feels like a bit of a wash to me. A quick read if it catches your fancy, but not anything to stand out or top the charts.
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August 6, 2016
Den of Shadows 4: Midnight Predator
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Like many other in the series, not loved enough to be a favorite overall book, but one of my favorites of this author's work. The names are somewhat odd, but then the characters are different too. Jaguar is by far my favorite though, and really makes this book for me. Ravyn is amusing, and Nathaniel is interesting, as is Turquoise/Catherine/Cathy. Really, though, it's the interaction with Jaguar that drives everything. He is both everything and nothing of what is expected. Sadly, we only get more of the vampire's pasts later on, not more of this future. Sometimes characters from other books have been mentioned in passing later on. Part of me wishes this would happen, or a sequel specific to these characters would come out so we'd know what Turquoise ultimately chooses and if Jaguar is still in that picture. There always seems to be a new surprise when he shows up, and it's rather refreshing.
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Den of Shadows 3: Shattered Mirror
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I definitely enjoy more of the earlier books most. This time we meet more of the Vida family. Why I still can't say that I like Dominique, and Adianna is questionable to me, it is both amusing and refreshing to find Sarah can be both concerned about Vida law at yet willing to see people (especially vampires) for who they are at the same time. Christopher/Kristopher's world seems to be very divided, though Sarah rather unwittingly appears to bring all 3 siblings back together as she hunts Nikolas. Nissa appears to be the most "human" of the group by far, though Christopher isn't far behind despite his "past" with Nikolas. Even Nikolas appears not to be what everyone thought he was in the beginning. It's hard not to like these characters despite their rather volatile beginnings.
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August 5, 2016
Den of Shadows 2: Demon in My View
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was my very first Amelia Atwater-Rhodes book ever read, and it's stayed with me since then. While I can't say it's one of my favorite overall books, or even an amazing masterpiece, I can say that it's a fun and intriguing piece that does a good job of making you want to like the characters and learn more about them and their world. It was the description of Jessica's Tiger, Tiger which appears to essentially tell the story found in the first book Into the Forest of the Night that really prompted me to go back and read that first book. Jessica obviously has issues, and they end up being rather unique for a number of reasons. Aubrey is very easy to like despite his "dangerous" persona. Add Caryn into the mix to tie everything together and keep the story balanced, and you have an interesting triangle the entertains. I can't say that I've ever liked Vida, and Fala is just a barrel of fights waiting to happen. Overall though, I enjoy this story a lot and often find myself coming back to it when I want a quick and amusing spin through a good vampire realm.
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Den of Shadows 1: In the Forests of the Night
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
A quick read but not a huge draw at the same time. This book does a good job of setting the foundation for the series and introducing many of the main characters from the world of "shadows." Mostly, this is Rachel/Risika's story, with a lot of Aubrey confrontations scattered in. I actually first read this book after reading the sequel, which was the bigger overall draw for me, so wasn't able to get into this one as much. While I do still enjoy it, it's never really managed to grab me as some of the other books in the series do.
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March 21, 2013
Den of Shadows 9: Promises to Keep
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Not my favorite of the Den of Shadows books, but still an interesting read. Jay doesn't seem to fit in with other witches at all, despite his hunter status. First off, he's far more comfortable out in the wild with Lynx, second, he makes friends with vampires surprisingly easy and willingly donates blood, something most other witches would likely kill over. This laid back attitude gets him into more than a little trouble as he tries to help the wrong person without the right information. Now the entire power balance has shifted, and we're just starting to see the tip of the iceberg with those changes.
Surprisingly kind of liked Xeke, though Rikai annoyed me a lot. Brina was an interesting surprise, especially when it turned out she could talk to Lynx the same way Jay did. Especially considering her own oblivion to her cat's demands earlier in the book. Definitely like her more as the human-almost-witch than as the vampire. Apparently Renna is Jessica's new name (from Demon in My View) and she is one of the "three wild cards" along with Xeke and Rikai. Surprising that she wasn't with Aubrey considered how connected they seemed in the earlier book.
There were also a lot of references to the Kiesha'ra series. The Cobriana family was mentioned by name aside from many references to the serpiente and the avian's. Kind of made me miss that series as I really liked Danica and Zane.
Overall, not the same character attachment as some of the earlier books (Demon in My View, Hawksong and Midnight Predator especially come to mind). A lot of interesting twists though. Makes me wonder if the next book with continue to combine Den of Shadows with Kiesha'ra or if this was sort of a one time crossover.
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January 1, 2013
Den of Shadows 8: Poison Tree
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I originally wasn't sure if I would consider this more a Den of Shadows or Kiesha'ra book as it involves both shapeshifters and vampires, especially the Mistari and references to the Serpiente. I found the emphasize on the brutality of the Mistari interesting, especially as they were the mediating clan for the Serpiente and Avian war, being the "neutral territory." The tie ins between Sahara, Jason, Christian and Alyssia are complex at the best of times. Fascinating how they constantly cross paths without really wanting to. Was glad that Jason showed up at the end for the challenge as it was his rightful place and put the priorities back in place for the pairs nicely. Kind of hope the cubs decide to stay with Sahara, but could see them choosing to leave with the way they had been raised too. Overall it had a lot of information both about the Mistari and Onyx. Also nice to see Ravyn again as I did like her in Midnight Predator.
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February 19, 2011
Den of Shadows 7: All Just Glass
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Given how long it's taken for this sequel to be published, I was surprised with just how close to the end of Shattered Mirror that it picks up - literally Adia's point of view from just after having witnessed Sarah being changed.
Honestly not as good as it's predecessor, but still a decent read. I've always been a little annoyed by the lack of a conclusive ending to these stories. While it's still rather ambiguous at the end of Glass, there is at least more direction than at the end of Mirror. Especially found Dominique's history rather interesting. Very glad Adia didn't disappoint when it came to her relationship with her sister.
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