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mommasaystoread's review against another edition
5.0
Original, well-written, witty, full of action, a bit steamy, snarky, lots of twists, and fun! I'm always on the lookout for a good Urban Fantasy series and if this first book is any indication of what's to come, I've found one. It's a solid start to a series and I can't wait to see what's next for Alexis and Reaper.
setaian's review against another edition
3.0
Someone is creating vampires and setting them loose on the world before they can control themselves. Alexis is the most feared assassin in the city and it's up to her to track him down and end him.
For the most part this was pretty good. I think the ending dragged on a little longer than it needed to but all in all a good start to the series.
For the most part this was pretty good. I think the ending dragged on a little longer than it needed to but all in all a good start to the series.
samthebookdevotee's review against another edition
2.0
I just want to say, I really did want to love this book. It literally had almost every trope and component that I love in supernatural/paranormal reads. This book just really did not do it for me. Lots of people liked this book so minor spoiler warning if you're interested in reading this book!
First, the pacing was super fast. Like someone important to Alexis dies within like the first couple of chapters in a very descriptive way all because of a hunger she has to feed every night or else she dies. I had no chance to feel anything for this person because I have absolutely no clue who he was to her besides a quick mention about being a mentor or friend. There's also essentially a fight scene every few pages and honestly they all kind of blended together for me. I felt there was no chance for me to learn anything about the characters or for them to form connections with each other. Even those were rushed. For example, Julian is introduced as scared of Alexis but then they end up making out a chapter or two later. I mean I'm not saying that you can't be attracted to something you fear, but it just wouldn't allow me to get into it. I just wanted to skip anything to do with lust or romance because it felt just so forced.
Second, is the lore of the book. At first, we are introduced to Eddie, Alexis' vampire "persona." It was introduced in a way like how in a lot of werewolf novels the person has a wolf "mind" as well. I was very interested in the concept, however, the name Eddie and how he acted gave me Venom vibes and it was a little difficult to get into. Later on, we find out it's actually a spirit that shares Alexis' body which was interesting but also never explained. In the beginning, we know that Alexis is serving this government body so that she can become a human again, but we know nothing about her sentence and how she made the deal until about halfway through the book, and even then it was confusing for me.
Finally, the writing style. It wasn't bad, but I feel like it was more straight to the point than it needed to be. Kind of one of those situations where some things needed to be shown in action than told. I think with a bit more editing it wouldn't have bothered me at all.
Overall, this book had so much potential. Like the concept is really good, it just needed a bit better execution in my own opinion. High school me would have hands down liked this book and probably would not have had one complaint, but now it just isn't my cup of tea. I am still definitely interested in reading more books by this author. I have Struck By Eros sitting on my TBR cart as we speak. So, keep out an eye for that!
First, the pacing was super fast. Like someone important to Alexis dies within like the first couple of chapters in a very descriptive way all because of a hunger she has to feed every night or else she dies. I had no chance to feel anything for this person because I have absolutely no clue who he was to her besides a quick mention about being a mentor or friend. There's also essentially a fight scene every few pages and honestly they all kind of blended together for me. I felt there was no chance for me to learn anything about the characters or for them to form connections with each other. Even those were rushed. For example, Julian is introduced as scared of Alexis but then they end up making out a chapter or two later. I mean I'm not saying that you can't be attracted to something you fear, but it just wouldn't allow me to get into it. I just wanted to skip anything to do with lust or romance because it felt just so forced.
Second, is the lore of the book. At first, we are introduced to Eddie, Alexis' vampire "persona." It was introduced in a way like how in a lot of werewolf novels the person has a wolf "mind" as well. I was very interested in the concept, however, the name Eddie and how he acted gave me Venom vibes and it was a little difficult to get into. Later on, we find out it's actually a spirit that shares Alexis' body which was interesting but also never explained. In the beginning, we know that Alexis is serving this government body so that she can become a human again, but we know nothing about her sentence and how she made the deal until about halfway through the book, and even then it was confusing for me.
Finally, the writing style. It wasn't bad, but I feel like it was more straight to the point than it needed to be. Kind of one of those situations where some things needed to be shown in action than told. I think with a bit more editing it wouldn't have bothered me at all.
Overall, this book had so much potential. Like the concept is really good, it just needed a bit better execution in my own opinion. High school me would have hands down liked this book and probably would not have had one complaint, but now it just isn't my cup of tea. I am still definitely interested in reading more books by this author. I have Struck By Eros sitting on my TBR cart as we speak. So, keep out an eye for that!
kasfire's review against another edition
5.0
4.5/5 Stars
What an intriguing twist on classic vampires. Alexis Black is a vampire turned supernatural beings assassin. She was approached by an angel who would turn her back into a human if she killed a supernatural being every night for 50 years.
This was an imaginative story. I know that the whole "vampire killing vampire" thing is not a new concept, but the way Jenn Windrow writes it, it becomes a new concept. Alexis is not only a vampire, but she also happens to contain the soul of another vampire to help her with her angelic contract. We watch Alexis struggle with her bloodlust, her backstory, and even her current life.
Every character was fantastic. There were layers to each that was peeled away as the book went on. And the growth of the relationships was absolutely phenomenal. We watch Alexis and Reaper (her human partner) go from unlikely partners to a semi-friendship. And there are many more relationships in this novel.
Honestly, my only complaint comes from the use of the quote "big cajones". I realize this is a fairly common quote, but cajones actually means drawers and not balls as many people think. (I used to as well and just recently got informed about it). But if that's my only complaint, that's pretty awesome. I want to read the next book so badly.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from a review group in exchange for an honest review
What an intriguing twist on classic vampires. Alexis Black is a vampire turned supernatural beings assassin. She was approached by an angel who would turn her back into a human if she killed a supernatural being every night for 50 years.
This was an imaginative story. I know that the whole "vampire killing vampire" thing is not a new concept, but the way Jenn Windrow writes it, it becomes a new concept. Alexis is not only a vampire, but she also happens to contain the soul of another vampire to help her with her angelic contract. We watch Alexis struggle with her bloodlust, her backstory, and even her current life.
Every character was fantastic. There were layers to each that was peeled away as the book went on. And the growth of the relationships was absolutely phenomenal. We watch Alexis and Reaper (her human partner) go from unlikely partners to a semi-friendship. And there are many more relationships in this novel.
Honestly, my only complaint comes from the use of the quote "big cajones". I realize this is a fairly common quote, but cajones actually means drawers and not balls as many people think. (I used to as well and just recently got informed about it). But if that's my only complaint, that's pretty awesome. I want to read the next book so badly.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from a review group in exchange for an honest review
elylibrarysec's review against another edition
4.0
When I started listening to this story, I wasn't sure that I was going to like it. I wasn't sure if Ms. Stephens was a good choice to tell me Alexis Black's story. Then as I continued to listen, I came to the conclusion that she was the perfect choice. Since this story is from Alexis' point of view, it would be strange to hear a man tell the story. And eventually I came to form, in my mind, what Alexis might look and act like. Hher weapon of choice seemed to have a life of its own which I don't think I would feel if I went and read the book instead.
Ms. Windrow had me thinking of possibilities. It's possible that there's an Alexis Black out there somewhere. She has challenges both internal and the world around her. Now she doesn't fight evil on her own - she has a partner. There were times that I couldn't decide whether I liked him or not. That just shows how good the author is at her job. There's a lot going on here since Alexis has a really tough job. She's a strong female character and not worried about damaging a fingernail.
Once I finally got into the story, I had to listen every chance I got. I even got to enjoy most of the secondary characters. They all helped move the story along. Nothing felt out of place - that it didn't fit the scene. Does it make me mean that I actually started rooting for the enemy of the piece? Make no mistake, I didn't like him but knowing he was still around meant that my adventure with this author, maybe this narrator, and one kick a** woman isn't over yet.
I voluntarily reviewed an Audiobook copy of this book.
Ms. Windrow had me thinking of possibilities. It's possible that there's an Alexis Black out there somewhere. She has challenges both internal and the world around her. Now she doesn't fight evil on her own - she has a partner. There were times that I couldn't decide whether I liked him or not. That just shows how good the author is at her job. There's a lot going on here since Alexis has a really tough job. She's a strong female character and not worried about damaging a fingernail.
Once I finally got into the story, I had to listen every chance I got. I even got to enjoy most of the secondary characters. They all helped move the story along. Nothing felt out of place - that it didn't fit the scene. Does it make me mean that I actually started rooting for the enemy of the piece? Make no mistake, I didn't like him but knowing he was still around meant that my adventure with this author, maybe this narrator, and one kick a** woman isn't over yet.
I voluntarily reviewed an Audiobook copy of this book.
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