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3.42 AVERAGE
3.42 AVERAGE
Syd and Dmitri had gotten away to safety in Italy, but are obsessed with the idea that Dmitri is not the only jinn. Reports of a serial killer back home make them suspicious, wondering if the seemingly random murders are caused by another jinn, the way Dmitri had been forced to kill at the command of his (thankfully) now-dead master, Karl Walker.
The structure of this book is pretty much like the first, which I found interesting. The first act, or part one, is non-stop action with occasional sex, whereas the first book's part one was non-stop sex with occasional action, but otherwise it was Syd and Dmitri together again, with no one else entering their tight little world except as enemies to be escaped or pursued.
When they discover that yes, there are more jinn, they decide to investigate--and part two is a great deal like part two of the previous book, in which Dmitri is flung into non-stop action, at great physical cost (he gets almost as beat up as Crawford of Lymond, for fans of hurt/comfort), without understanding the why of any of the missions he is sent on. The difference is that he is not constrained against his will, though he is questioning the power of emotional connection in a way that adds another layer of interest to the story. This exploration of Syd's and Dmitri's relationship was one of the best parts of the book for me.
Bringing us to part three, which like the first book, is where he and Syd begin to make sense of what's going on, launching yet more grueling action, peppered by plenty of sex.
It's clear that this is developing into a series, with these two smart young people becoming crusaders on behalf of the jinn.
Spoiler
A couple of the villains get awaySpoiler
No drowning of kittens, I am glad to report, or kidnapping of childrenReaders who like a distinctive voice, tons of non-stop action, and plenty of sex should find themselves immersed in this series.
Copy provided by NetGalley.
In this book Syd and Dim head back to the US, from Naples Italy, to find a female genie, only they discover something a lot more sinister. An organization that controls jinn and sometimes tortures them to do their bidding. They set out to free the female jinn, but his old master bond holder's wife has a new plan for Dim, kidnap and force him to work for her until Karl's infant son is old enough to take over the bond. That is the plan at least until he tells her that Syd, who was Karl's niece has set him free, but shes determined to take over all the jinn.
I didn't really like this book as much as the first, in the first we watched Syd and Dim fall in love and her freeing him. This time around its like she's controlling him, and he even makes the statement "you should have just left the master bond", and that's what it felt like. No matter if Dim didn't want to do something, Syd was basically forcing him to abide by her wishes. I'm glad the jinn were able stand up for themselves in this story and show they weren't going to stand by and stay in the shadows. Hopefully in the next story we will be able to see the release of all the jinn and the next generation rediscovered and released as well.
Received ARC in exchange for honest review from NetGalley
I didn't really like this book as much as the first, in the first we watched Syd and Dim fall in love and her freeing him. This time around its like she's controlling him, and he even makes the statement "you should have just left the master bond", and that's what it felt like. No matter if Dim didn't want to do something, Syd was basically forcing him to abide by her wishes. I'm glad the jinn were able stand up for themselves in this story and show they weren't going to stand by and stay in the shadows. Hopefully in the next story we will be able to see the release of all the jinn and the next generation rediscovered and released as well.
Received ARC in exchange for honest review from NetGalley
The scariest thing isn't being stifled; it's finding the courage to speak up.
I didn't like this one as much as the first. I went in, fresh off finishing Summoned, ready to follow in the new adventure and it was just...underwhelming. And a bit convoluted at times as well.
Dimitri, now having been freed, is living with Syd, her grandmother, and her sister in Italy. He wants nothing more than to leave the past behind him and start his new life and basically just try to figure out what freedom means but Syd has other plans. Her obsession with the jinn is far from sated. When she finds a rash of killings in San Diego that she believes are being committed by a jinn, she drags Dimitri back into the world he so wanted to escape. Needless to say, they find the jinn and then some.
My main issue with this book was Syd herself. Having seen what being a jinn did to Dimitri and how much freewill was just not a thing, it was just rather inconsiderate of her to assume he;s be okay with everything she was doing - mainly, asking him to pretend to be a controlled jinn again. Everything he escaped from was now back to being front and center - burglary, kidnapping, murder - Syd saw no problem with involving Dim in this because it was for knowledge. I mean, doesn't he want to know more about his life and the other jinn? For someone who supposedly was in love, she acted rather childish and very selfish. Only caring about her goals and not bothering to see how much stress this was causing Dim. And can I mention how awkward the sex scenes were? Yikes.
Another problem was the pacing vs. plot. There was just so much plot thrown at us that it was extremely hard to focus on just one thing. Because of this, a lot got lost in translation. I didn't care about any outcomes because I wasn't given time to care. I wanted to see Dim grow in his freedom, deal with the struggles of being normal and he wasn't given that opportunity. The author basically told us and we were to accept it at face value before diving into the multiple mysteries that hounded this book.
When I said I wanted more of the history of the jinn, this was not what I had in mind.
I didn't like this one as much as the first. I went in, fresh off finishing Summoned, ready to follow in the new adventure and it was just...underwhelming. And a bit convoluted at times as well.
Dimitri, now having been freed, is living with Syd, her grandmother, and her sister in Italy. He wants nothing more than to leave the past behind him and start his new life and basically just try to figure out what freedom means but Syd has other plans. Her obsession with the jinn is far from sated. When she finds a rash of killings in San Diego that she believes are being committed by a jinn, she drags Dimitri back into the world he so wanted to escape. Needless to say, they find the jinn and then some.
My main issue with this book was Syd herself. Having seen what being a jinn did to Dimitri and how much freewill was just not a thing, it was just rather inconsiderate of her to assume he;s be okay with everything she was doing - mainly, asking him to pretend to be a controlled jinn again. Everything he escaped from was now back to being front and center - burglary, kidnapping, murder - Syd saw no problem with involving Dim in this because it was for knowledge. I mean, doesn't he want to know more about his life and the other jinn? For someone who supposedly was in love, she acted rather childish and very selfish. Only caring about her goals and not bothering to see how much stress this was causing Dim. And can I mention how awkward the sex scenes were? Yikes.
Another problem was the pacing vs. plot. There was just so much plot thrown at us that it was extremely hard to focus on just one thing. Because of this, a lot got lost in translation. I didn't care about any outcomes because I wasn't given time to care. I wanted to see Dim grow in his freedom, deal with the struggles of being normal and he wasn't given that opportunity. The author basically told us and we were to accept it at face value before diving into the multiple mysteries that hounded this book.
When I said I wanted more of the history of the jinn, this was not what I had in mind.
I picked this up right after finishing the first book in the series, Summoned. I was hoping to be taken on another journey that I would enjoy as much as the first one, but the sequel left me underwhelmed overall.
I liked picking up with Dimitri so soon after the ending of the first book. It was nice to read that at some point he had a semi-normal life and that he was starting to try to settle into his newfound freedom. But then of course his life is yanked up from under him and he's thrown back into the jinn world that he just managed to escape. The action in this book was faster-paced and had more cohesiveness than the first one did which I definitely appreciated. I was engrossed reading as Dimitri and Syd discover the secret of JiNet and I really liked the idea of an organization like it and thought it was very realistic.
However, I have two main qualms in this book: Syd is terrible and I wish she would disappear, and the whole Kalila thing was so bizarre and hard to understand.
Firstly, Syd definitely wasn't a favorite character for me in the first one but she did start to grow on me by the end of the book. But in this one, she drove me absolutely crazy with how selfish and self-centered she is. All Syd cares about is herself and her ambitions yet puts a nice cover on it by saying she wants to help other jinn. When really it's just that Syd is obsessed with jinn and will stop at nothing to discover and learn more about them just as she has her entire life. And Dimitri, who is supposed to be the love of her life basically, is always a secondhand thought when he isn't useful for her. I don't understand how even with Dimitri's own doubts that he voices multiple times throughout the book, he could stay with her. Ugh.
Then, secondly, the Kalila thing was so poorly explained I'm still left with a giant question mark above my head. WHY? That's my main question. WHY is she being targeted as opposed to the other jinn under the same control??? What did she do? Why is she hated? Why does she cause so many problems apparently and can't be kept under control? She was such an awkward character and I'm left wondering why concern for her was supposed to carry half the book when there's no explanation given. If it had been explained better, I probably would've given the book another star but it was just so confusing and such a large part of the book that it should have been handled better.
Lastly, I still love Dimitri. He's a fun character with a uniquely humorous voice that is not used much in New Adult. He's still the same bumbling, sarcastic person that we met in the first book and I'm supremely happy that he was the same in the sequel.
Likes: Dimitri's sarcasm and personality. Faster paced and more action in this one. Plot was more cohesive.
Dislikes: Syd. Ugh. Kalila's story and history has no explanation as to why she's a target and suffering from what she is from the same hand that does nothing to the other person under his control. What???
Overall:
Recommend? Yes, even with all of my qualms mentioned.
Reading the Next One? Yes.
*I received this e-book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
I liked picking up with Dimitri so soon after the ending of the first book. It was nice to read that at some point he had a semi-normal life and that he was starting to try to settle into his newfound freedom. But then of course his life is yanked up from under him and he's thrown back into the jinn world that he just managed to escape. The action in this book was faster-paced and had more cohesiveness than the first one did which I definitely appreciated. I was engrossed reading as Dimitri and Syd discover the secret of JiNet and I really liked the idea of an organization like it and thought it was very realistic.
However, I have two main qualms in this book: Syd is terrible and I wish she would disappear, and the whole Kalila thing was so bizarre and hard to understand.
Firstly, Syd definitely wasn't a favorite character for me in the first one but she did start to grow on me by the end of the book. But in this one, she drove me absolutely crazy with how selfish and self-centered she is. All Syd cares about is herself and her ambitions yet puts a nice cover on it by saying she wants to help other jinn. When really it's just that Syd is obsessed with jinn and will stop at nothing to discover and learn more about them just as she has her entire life. And Dimitri, who is supposed to be the love of her life basically, is always a secondhand thought when he isn't useful for her. I don't understand how even with Dimitri's own doubts that he voices multiple times throughout the book, he could stay with her. Ugh.
Then, secondly, the Kalila thing was so poorly explained I'm still left with a giant question mark above my head. WHY? That's my main question. WHY is she being targeted as opposed to the other jinn under the same control??? What did she do? Why is she hated? Why does she cause so many problems apparently and can't be kept under control? She was such an awkward character and I'm left wondering why concern for her was supposed to carry half the book when there's no explanation given. If it had been explained better, I probably would've given the book another star but it was just so confusing and such a large part of the book that it should have been handled better.
Lastly, I still love Dimitri. He's a fun character with a uniquely humorous voice that is not used much in New Adult. He's still the same bumbling, sarcastic person that we met in the first book and I'm supremely happy that he was the same in the sequel.
Likes: Dimitri's sarcasm and personality. Faster paced and more action in this one. Plot was more cohesive.
Dislikes: Syd. Ugh. Kalila's story and history has no explanation as to why she's a target and suffering from what she is from the same hand that does nothing to the other person under his control. What???
Overall:
Recommend? Yes, even with all of my qualms mentioned.
Reading the Next One? Yes.
*I received this e-book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
Reviewed for http://theereaderjunkie.wordpress.com
Let Dimitri introduce himself : “That’s me, the most unintimidating criminal on the planet. At 23, I’ve given up on ever reaching six feet.” “I get cranky when people expect me to go on a murdering spree. I do have other hobbies. Or would like to, anyway.”
Just like in the previous books of the series, this is a paranormal novel told in a noir tone. Dimitri’s humor matches the monologues of a blasé private detective, but a lot wittier. That guy cracks me up. What he doesn’t have in magic powers, he makes up with experience and creativity. He might not be the toughest alpha male on the planet, but he manages to reach his goals, whatever unusual means he uses ! He’s just endearing and I feel for him, trying to find out who he is, trying to please his girlfriend and weighing whether to act for the best or finding out another way.
“I look both directions to make sure the coast is clear. Then I run. Straight across the street and down the side yard. I heave myself up and over the back brick wall.
I land, stumble forward, then fall face first into gravel.
Nope, still not Superman.”
He’s not Superman, he’s a normal guy expected to do completely abnormal things, that’s why I like him so much more than if he were an invincible hero. That and the fact that he questions himself but never gives up. He tries to do his best even if it’s not the best thing to do, even if he has doubts and is tempted to just look away.
Poor Dimitri, he was hoping to spend some quality time with his girlfriend and her family in Italy, but Syd intends to go back to the States in order to find another jinn. I say, “another jinn” because Dimitri, in spite of everything that happened in Summoned, still considers himself a jinn – old habits die hard. What they discover might bring their couple to an end, would he resist seeing his beloved Syd in the role of a Master, an allmighty ruler of jinns who barely considers them as tools, even if it’s just for pretend ?
When they go searching for this jinn, they have absolutely no idea of what they’re about to discover – and neither did I. Am I going to write a lengthy review without spoiling anything and tempting you to give a go to this addictive series ? Well, not much because I’d hate to reveal anything.
Just let me tell you this : when I say this series is addictive, it IS addictive. There’s romance (but it’s not a paranormal romance), there’s a intriguing plot, there’s action, there’s humor, there are very bad guys, there are good guys who are way above their heads into trouble and there is this hero, because that’s what he is. I happened upon book #1 purely by chance, it was a freebie and I’d never read a jinn story before. So I bought it, completely forgot about the jinn plot and read it months later and bam ! In my face. Now I’m hooked and I’d dearly, really dearly love to hook you too. Give Dimitri a chance ! Highly recommended ! And now, Rainy Kaye, please, get to your computer, your paper and your pen, whatever it is you use, I don’t care but write me the next instalment, I need it !
One more quote for the road :
“So, what is Fahim going to do, throw a rope ladder out a second story window ?”
“He’s going to unlock the front door,” Shadi replies without missing a step.
I falter. Entering atarget house through the front door without taking it off its hinges is a first. What a concept.”
Let Dimitri introduce himself : “That’s me, the most unintimidating criminal on the planet. At 23, I’ve given up on ever reaching six feet.” “I get cranky when people expect me to go on a murdering spree. I do have other hobbies. Or would like to, anyway.”
Just like in the previous books of the series, this is a paranormal novel told in a noir tone. Dimitri’s humor matches the monologues of a blasé private detective, but a lot wittier. That guy cracks me up. What he doesn’t have in magic powers, he makes up with experience and creativity. He might not be the toughest alpha male on the planet, but he manages to reach his goals, whatever unusual means he uses ! He’s just endearing and I feel for him, trying to find out who he is, trying to please his girlfriend and weighing whether to act for the best or finding out another way.
“I look both directions to make sure the coast is clear. Then I run. Straight across the street and down the side yard. I heave myself up and over the back brick wall.
I land, stumble forward, then fall face first into gravel.
Nope, still not Superman.”
He’s not Superman, he’s a normal guy expected to do completely abnormal things, that’s why I like him so much more than if he were an invincible hero. That and the fact that he questions himself but never gives up. He tries to do his best even if it’s not the best thing to do, even if he has doubts and is tempted to just look away.
Poor Dimitri, he was hoping to spend some quality time with his girlfriend and her family in Italy, but Syd intends to go back to the States in order to find another jinn. I say, “another jinn” because Dimitri, in spite of everything that happened in Summoned, still considers himself a jinn – old habits die hard. What they discover might bring their couple to an end, would he resist seeing his beloved Syd in the role of a Master, an allmighty ruler of jinns who barely considers them as tools, even if it’s just for pretend ?
When they go searching for this jinn, they have absolutely no idea of what they’re about to discover – and neither did I. Am I going to write a lengthy review without spoiling anything and tempting you to give a go to this addictive series ? Well, not much because I’d hate to reveal anything.
Just let me tell you this : when I say this series is addictive, it IS addictive. There’s romance (but it’s not a paranormal romance), there’s a intriguing plot, there’s action, there’s humor, there are very bad guys, there are good guys who are way above their heads into trouble and there is this hero, because that’s what he is. I happened upon book #1 purely by chance, it was a freebie and I’d never read a jinn story before. So I bought it, completely forgot about the jinn plot and read it months later and bam ! In my face. Now I’m hooked and I’d dearly, really dearly love to hook you too. Give Dimitri a chance ! Highly recommended ! And now, Rainy Kaye, please, get to your computer, your paper and your pen, whatever it is you use, I don’t care but write me the next instalment, I need it !
One more quote for the road :
“So, what is Fahim going to do, throw a rope ladder out a second story window ?”
“He’s going to unlock the front door,” Shadi replies without missing a step.
I falter. Entering atarget house through the front door without taking it off its hinges is a first. What a concept.”