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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
Charlaine Harris writes some of my favorite series. My favorite is the lesser known Lily Bard series, and Gunnie Rose reminds me of Lily Bard - a tough, no-nonsense woman who can take care of herself. In an alternative history setting where America has splintered, and large portions are now owned by other countries or extremely dangerous, and magic is out in the open, Gunnie is a hired mercenary who ends up guarding two Grigori from the Holy Russian Empire (previously California).
I think the premise of this book has a lot of potential for a series, and it was a good story, but I didn't love it. Sometimes it felt like we missed some background information, and things would be mentioned that made it feel like there was information we should be aware of that we weren't. I hope that there is more in this storyline because I want to see where Gunnie ends up next, and I'll probably reread this at some time go see if I like it better after a second read.
I think the premise of this book has a lot of potential for a series, and it was a good story, but I didn't love it. Sometimes it felt like we missed some background information, and things would be mentioned that made it feel like there was information we should be aware of that we weren't. I hope that there is more in this storyline because I want to see where Gunnie ends up next, and I'll probably reread this at some time go see if I like it better after a second read.
Yeah when the love interest waited for the protagonist to get old enough to have sex it creeps me out. And I couldn't get into the writing. Not for me. Arrrr!
A disappointing showing from a normally masterful writer. The plot and pacing were good, but the characters were terrible! The main character was so flat and emotionless it was like reading about a Holocaust survivor who had to completely emotionally gut themselves to survive. Gunnie Rose's world history deviates from ours after World War I, and it's a hard place to live, but it's not that hard. I think Harris was trying to write Rose as hard and tough (but with a really feminine name in case you forgot she was female), but it just came out as dull and uninteresting. None of the secondary or background characters were anymore interesting.
Harris also seems to get more judgemental with every book, obsessed about what each character "deserves" based on their work ethic or moral choices.
The romance plot was very forced with no chemistry.
I wouldn't even recommend this book to someone who was mildly curious. It's not worth even a few hours. For reference, the fantasy elements were minimal. This was much more of an alternative history western.
Harris also seems to get more judgemental with every book, obsessed about what each character "deserves" based on their work ethic or moral choices.
The romance plot was very forced with no chemistry.
I wouldn't even recommend this book to someone who was mildly curious. It's not worth even a few hours. For reference, the fantasy elements were minimal. This was much more of an alternative history western.
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Not what I expected but in a good way! Started off a little slow but picked up quickly and was nonstop the rest of the way! A little magic, a little fun action, strong female protagonist.. Worth the read!
medium-paced
My introduction to Charlaine Harris (although I have watched some episodes of True Blood way back when) and I really enjoyed Gunnie Rose. She's a cool character who is not perfect by any means but has a code of honor like many gunslingers. I look forward to reading more about her.
Just ok. It has a great idea behind it with an alternative history, and I love Harris’s mysteries— they’re some of my favorite vacation reading— but this book just didn’t seem to have much of a point. Or direction. It kinda meandered around here and there, and left me feeling very meh when I finished it. I’m sure I’ll forget it entirely before long. I don’t think I’ll be continuing with this series.
Fun start to a new series. I enjoy dystopia western books, and this one makes me ready for the next with, hopefully, more character background info.