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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm going to be honest, I did not want to read this book. I read the except at the end of another story and just was not impressed. With that said, I still pre-ordered it and put it on my to read list because Gina is an amazing author and has never let me down.
I devoured this book in less than 10 hours. (Stupid work slowed me down) This story gave me all of the feels. Kayser is so open, honest, and raw. You feel everything his pain, anger, lust, insecurities. I don't think I've ever wanted a fictional character the way I want him. He is simply a specimen of flawed magnificence.
Cookie was/is the perfect companion for him. I love her darkness. She embraced that shit without any regret. I loved that she was rational.. for the most part. Her empathy, compassion, accountability, forgiveness and open communication was a breath of fresh air.
I pray that this series continues as I believe that Jareth and Micah have stories to be told. Peal Jean is a trip and needs some action for sure. The realm is one of wonder and demands to be explored further.
I gave this book 5 stars. I only give 5 stars if a book produces a strong emotional response from me. I think having to put the book down to go throw water on my face, chew ice, and adjust my panties counts as a strong response. I highly recommend this book and anything else written by Gina Showalter.
I devoured this book in less than 10 hours. (Stupid work slowed me down) This story gave me all of the feels. Kayser is so open, honest, and raw. You feel everything his pain, anger, lust, insecurities. I don't think I've ever wanted a fictional character the way I want him. He is simply a specimen of flawed magnificence.
Cookie was/is the perfect companion for him. I love her darkness. She embraced that shit without any regret. I loved that she was rational.. for the most part. Her empathy, compassion, accountability, forgiveness and open communication was a breath of fresh air.
I pray that this series continues as I believe that Jareth and Micah have stories to be told. Peal Jean is a trip and needs some action for sure. The realm is one of wonder and demands to be explored further.
I gave this book 5 stars. I only give 5 stars if a book produces a strong emotional response from me. I think having to put the book down to go throw water on my face, chew ice, and adjust my panties counts as a strong response. I highly recommend this book and anything else written by Gina Showalter.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Looks like I'm back on the Gena Showalter train lol.
This is the second book I've picked up in who knows how long that I am reminded again why I adore Gena Showalter's stories.
This book worked for me in so many ways and in the same breath there were certain parts where it didn't but as a whole this story was everything I wanted. I kept sneaking to read so I could see what happened next.
The heroine and hero are just the right type of characters to grace this story. I enjoyed the spunk and appreciated that while our heroine was human she was kicking ass and taking names. (Ya'll know I love me a little spit fire lol). I also can not wait for the next book in this series...it's going to be hot!
This is the second book I've picked up in who knows how long that I am reminded again why I adore Gena Showalter's stories.
This book worked for me in so many ways and in the same breath there were certain parts where it didn't but as a whole this story was everything I wanted. I kept sneaking to read so I could see what happened next.
The heroine and hero are just the right type of characters to grace this story. I enjoyed the spunk and appreciated that while our heroine was human she was kicking ass and taking names. (Ya'll know I love me a little spit fire lol). I also can not wait for the next book in this series...it's going to be hot!
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
First book by this author, bought in sake through audible. Just not a fan of characters who while terrible, didn't seem to have redeemable qualities. Narrator may have influenced this, but both mainstream came off as childish and spoiled.
Gena Showalter starts a new series with Heartless, a paranormal romance that gave me the Immortals After Dark vibes I've been missing.
Kaysar is a rather terrifying warlord type with a magical voice that can command people to do what he wants. Kidnapped and abused for years as a child, he's sworn revenge on the fae royalty who hurt him and his sister. When the book starts, he's watching from the shadows as the son of his abuser and the son's mate get it on. Naturally, he interrupts them and attempts to kidnap the princess so he can seduce her and put his own son on the throne. She has the ability to make portals, however, and flees to the human world. Before she can, Kaysar commands her (with his fancy voice) to return to him.
Cut to Cookie, a professional gamer streaming on the equivalent of Twitch as she defeats her crappy ex. Cookie has been disabled since childhood and her failing heart has her worried for her future. Suddenly, she gets the call: there's a heart for her! And of course it's the fae princess's heart. Cookie starts transforming--not just healing but physically changing. Her hair, eyes, etc. And then one day she *oops* makes a portal and falls into Kaysar's world. Remember that command? Apparently the heart does.
There are so many things I loved about this book, but in the interest of brevity, here are a few:
- Cookie loves shiny things and doesn't apologize for it. Kaysar gives her all sorts of jewelry and she takes it and makes it clear it's not winning him any points.
- Cookie knows her way around this world because it's the world from the game! Can you even imagine popping through a portal into your favorite video game and snagging yourself the hottest homicidal fae king around? I mean seriously.
- Kaysar is an absolute jackass, but he's incredibly insistent on consent because of the abuse he suffered as a child. Yes, he does the murder stuff, but he's not an alphahole in other ways. And whew, Cookie knocks him down like 8 pegs.
- Cookie's own power is really cool. I'm not sure I should spoil it for everyone, but it's something I hadn't read before and I was thoroughly entertained.
- Adam Gold did the audio narration for this and though the book is dual POV, I didn't mind at all that he did the whole thing. He's got a delicious voice, with a deep timbre that really works for Kaysar (and apparently me). I'm hoping he does the rest of the series as well.
In all, this was the paranormal romance I wanted it to be. The chemistry and banter between the two MCs is perfection and I loved that Cookie is not quite the typical bratty heroine who tames the beast hero - she's also kind of bloodthirsty! Her best friend is a retiree and they live with an evil cat and I just loved her so much. Even when she was murder-y.
Sign me up for more in this series.
***
I received a copy of this audiobook from the publisher for review.
Content Warnings: past ableism and misogyny, references to past repeated and extensive sexual and physical abuse of a child (not detailed), murder, threat of sexual assault, possibly genocide? Kaysar has done shitty things but they're sort of "he conquered the X region" so whatever that entailed
Audiobook Review
Overall 2 stars
Performance 5 stars
Story 1-1.5 stars
Unfortunately this book was a miss for me. I didn't particularly like any of the characters and I could only suspend my disbelief for so long. I don't understand how being an amazing gamer in the real world would translate into being an actual ruthless killer in another realm. Am I also the only one who was a bit concerned that Cookie was so murder curious and had no qualms about killing people left and right? The premise was an interesting one, but besides that initial idea, there wasn't enough going on to justify how long this book was. The world and characters weren't fully fleshed out and I was left with a lot more questions than answers. There was a lot of repetition in the book and I needed much more groveling from Kaysar after what he said and did to Cookie at the end. I don't think I care enough about the secondary characters to want to continue on with the series.
The only reason I finished the book was the outstanding narration by Adam Gold. I was really impressed by his versatility and range. He voiced all of the characters (especially Kaysar) so well and I had no problems distinguishing between characters. Truly a talented narrator!
CW: kidnapping, imprisonment, sexual assault and abuse of a minor, death of parents, murder, violence, mutilation/loss of limbs and body parts, organ transplant (heart)
Overall 2 stars
Performance 5 stars
Story 1-1.5 stars
Unfortunately this book was a miss for me. I didn't particularly like any of the characters and I could only suspend my disbelief for so long. I don't understand how being an amazing gamer in the real world would translate into being an actual ruthless killer in another realm. Am I also the only one who was a bit concerned that Cookie was so murder curious and had no qualms about killing people left and right? The premise was an interesting one, but besides that initial idea, there wasn't enough going on to justify how long this book was. The world and characters weren't fully fleshed out and I was left with a lot more questions than answers. There was a lot of repetition in the book and I needed much more groveling from Kaysar after what he said and did to Cookie at the end. I don't think I care enough about the secondary characters to want to continue on with the series.
The only reason I finished the book was the outstanding narration by Adam Gold. I was really impressed by his versatility and range. He voiced all of the characters (especially Kaysar) so well and I had no problems distinguishing between characters. Truly a talented narrator!
CW: kidnapping, imprisonment, sexual assault and abuse of a minor, death of parents, murder, violence, mutilation/loss of limbs and body parts, organ transplant (heart)
5 Murder-Curious stars! At first I didn't think I'd care much for this book, Kaysar kinda rubbed me the wrong way, and so did Cookie... But I was wrong, so wrong. Loved everything about this book and I sincerely can not wait to read more in this series!
Well my first Gena Showalter book that I disliked. First was the gamer thing…as a gamer myself I was offended how Cookie was portrayed and hope people do not associate her behavior with us gamer girls. Second the nicknames Cookie is a nickname for a kindergartner not a 26 yr living on her own. Like Kayzar in the book, he has every justification for his revenge and then some. Jareth and the winter court are evil….especially for capturing a 12 boy to torture and molest..Jareth may not had direct torturing involved but he knew and did nothing.