Scan barcode
merilizabeth's review
4.0
Hesitation gone good
When I read that this book wont be the continuing of Arianna and Fen story I was hesitant to pick this one up. But as all the parts before it was the same level of awesome. These writers know their stuff. And the world building is just amazing. I am so in love with this hell world aka Inferna. Plus the chipper voice of the character talking directly to the reader is a brilliant way of telling the story. Havent read anything this good in a while and it is not counting the previous parts.
When I read that this book wont be the continuing of Arianna and Fen story I was hesitant to pick this one up. But as all the parts before it was the same level of awesome. These writers know their stuff. And the world building is just amazing. I am so in love with this hell world aka Inferna. Plus the chipper voice of the character talking directly to the reader is a brilliant way of telling the story. Havent read anything this good in a while and it is not counting the previous parts.
naiapard's review
5.0
My first thoughts after I’ve finished this great book were:
1. “What’s going on with this cover? Why does it look like a perfume add?”
2.“You are undermining your work with this red hood and black wolf thing!”
3. “Am I supposed to think that she is THE HUNTER? Not dressed like she is ready to fall on her face, no”
I wasn’t paying attention, as I should have, when I had picked this book and found it curiously similar to another series that I have started a long time ago, The Vampire Girl and never finished. I said to myself:
me, really confident: “Hmm, this one would like to meet the characters in that Vampire Girl series, they will align just fine. More than that, look, the mother of the Hell’s Prince is called Arianna. There was a girl in the Vampire Girl called Arianna, wasn’t it?"
I did not know that the book was a part of the Vampire Girl series, excuse me, but I am with the head in the clouds 22/7, the rest of those two hours I spent demurely visualizing my future, sooo, yeah.
But I am glad I wasn’t aware because I would have been more likely not to try this one, and oh, oh, what a shame would have been that!
I did not especially like the previous books. I did not like the first book, so I didn't continue reading the remaining four (from the Vampire Girl series). So, the chance that I wouldn’t have given a second glance to this fifth one was an almost certainty.
You don’t have to know what’s happened in the previous books to get the gist of this one.
The narration is like a monologue. The main character speaks to us, the readers, as if we were her shadow, always a step back, expecting her explanations, waiting for her clarifications. Wonderful!
It’s a mastery of the oralization technique, when the character keeps her role throughout the entire “play” whiteout suddenly turning to a faraway narration, made by an observant to the action and not a “magister of the world” as is the case in here. (I am referring to this main character as a “magister” because she teaches us the rules of her world; she explains the importance of each and every other character and their contributions to the plot.)
But I could care less about the plot. The writing!!! Oh, how I enjoyed Iris’s sassy remarks and inside jokes and her patronizing voice directed to the readers:
It’s a YA going towards NA, perfect for a reading slumber.
1. “What’s going on with this cover? Why does it look like a perfume add?”
2.“You are undermining your work with this red hood and black wolf thing!”
3. “Am I supposed to think that she is THE HUNTER? Not dressed like she is ready to fall on her face, no”
I wasn’t paying attention, as I should have, when I had picked this book and found it curiously similar to another series that I have started a long time ago, The Vampire Girl and never finished. I said to myself:
me, really confident: “Hmm, this one would like to meet the characters in that Vampire Girl series, they will align just fine. More than that, look, the mother of the Hell’s Prince is called Arianna. There was a girl in the Vampire Girl called Arianna, wasn’t it?"
I did not know that the book was a part of the Vampire Girl series, excuse me, but I am with the head in the clouds 22/7, the rest of those two hours I spent demurely visualizing my future, sooo, yeah.
But I am glad I wasn’t aware because I would have been more likely not to try this one, and oh, oh, what a shame would have been that!
I did not especially like the previous books. I did not like the first book, so I didn't continue reading the remaining four (from the Vampire Girl series). So, the chance that I wouldn’t have given a second glance to this fifth one was an almost certainty.
You don’t have to know what’s happened in the previous books to get the gist of this one.
This isn't what it looks like. I swear. You see, though I may be tied to this wooden beam with unbreakable chains, and yes, though I may be hanging over a boiling pot full of something that smells worse than an angel's anus, I am in complete control. Utter domination. You get the picture. So, don't worry. All children and sensitive souls may read on
The narration is like a monologue. The main character speaks to us, the readers, as if we were her shadow, always a step back, expecting her explanations, waiting for her clarifications. Wonderful!
It’s a mastery of the oralization technique, when the character keeps her role throughout the entire “play” whiteout suddenly turning to a faraway narration, made by an observant to the action and not a “magister of the world” as is the case in here. (I am referring to this main character as a “magister” because she teaches us the rules of her world; she explains the importance of each and every other character and their contributions to the plot.)
When I open the door, the way doesn't lead to the valley, but instead into a lavish hotel. The Black Lotus.Iris is The First Hunter (which is apparently a big deal) that has to capture Elias, the Prince of Hell, an all-powerful being that has top notch abilities. He proves himself a hard catch, because Iris is at her 21/22nd time that she tried and failed to catch him. The genre describes this book as fantasy romance, so you may guess what will happen with those two. But that doesn’t matter because a bigger threat than awkwardly falling in love has arisen and that’s the White Rider. A powerful creature hell bent on putting his claws on Elias. But wait, somehow Iris has to run with Elias because [insert the excuse that makes the plot running]. So they become outcasts.
Now…
I know you’ve heard about this next part. Read about it, at least. The incident, as most like to call it. You’re wondering, were Iris and Elias both in on it? Did they work together? That is, after all, why you’re reading this, right? To find out. I can assure you, it’s much more complicated than that.
But I could care less about the plot. The writing!!! Oh, how I enjoyed Iris’s sassy remarks and inside jokes and her patronizing voice directed to the readers:
Elias finishes dressing the wound, but he doesn’t let go of my hand, clutching it tightly. “Don’t be sorry, Iris. You saved me, remember. Without your blood, I’d be dead.”Don’t expect this to be the place where you find the most brilliant characters in literature, fantasy more exactly, nor did this, is the place of diversity and complexity. It’s a quick funny read that has some poignant ideas protruding from its two hundred and some pages. Elias is not the greatest, Iris is not the sassiest, but they are Fine. More than that.
I want to say something kind in return. Instead I sneeze. All over him. Like my snot flies into his face. Like snotpocalypse has arrived. What is this? Am I allergic to the new Elias?
“Excuse me,” I say, pinching my nose to avoid another incident.
“This…” he groans, wiping the nasty off his face with a cloth. “I can never forgive.”
It’s a YA going towards NA, perfect for a reading slumber.
mjluckett's review
5.0
This is the first book in a new series....
The writing style in this book is a little bit different, and took a chapter or two to get used to.... After the first few chapters I didn't even notice the difference any longer.
This book has all the feels, you laugh, cry, cringe, cheer.... and several time where you say Ohhhhhhhh, didn't see that coming....
Iris and Elias are quite a team.
Another GREAT story by Karpov Kinrade, cant wait to see what happens next.
The writing style in this book is a little bit different, and took a chapter or two to get used to.... After the first few chapters I didn't even notice the difference any longer.
This book has all the feels, you laugh, cry, cringe, cheer.... and several time where you say Ohhhhhhhh, didn't see that coming....
Iris and Elias are quite a team.
Another GREAT story by Karpov Kinrade, cant wait to see what happens next.
eryniel's review
5.0
#Hysterical
This book is whacked!!! But in the absolute best sense possible. Once I started reading it I couldn’t put it down. Also, I’m pretty sure I strained some muscles from laughing so hard. Legit.
This book is whacked!!! But in the absolute best sense possible. Once I started reading it I couldn’t put it down. Also, I’m pretty sure I strained some muscles from laughing so hard. Legit.
greeneyedramaqueen's review
5.0
This book continues the world of Vampire Girl made famous by Karpov Kinrade but with new characters and in a future time period. Admittedly, I love anything and everything written by this author, and this book is definitely not an exception, but I honestly have to say that every new book they write, they just seem to get better and better, and it's hard to even believe that is possible, but yet, it is! Check this book out if you love stories of fantasy, stories of supernatural, stories about vampires done in a different way than you are used to. In fact, check this book out even if you're not a fan of those things but simply love to read. Give this book a chance because I just can't see how anyone could NOT love it!
tamitam55's review
5.0
Being a pen pal I find that this book appeals to me on so many levels. Granted this book has absolutely nothing to do with pen palling. But back on track... this book feels like a letter that is written to you by your best girlfriend. You're not scared to share your life on all aspects, even the REALLY TMI moments.
Iris is a kick ass, wise cracking hunter who isn't afraid of anything... well maybe three things, but that's besides the point.
Elias, the sexy vampire/fey who makes a girl's heart go pitter patter! Misunderstood bad guy eludes the First Hunter for too long, now Iris needs to make a move.
So many crossover characters from Vampire Girl but not enough that you'd be lost without reading that series first.
This writing style is by far my favorite of Karpov Kinraid's books. Another home run.
Iris is a kick ass, wise cracking hunter who isn't afraid of anything... well maybe three things, but that's besides the point.
Elias, the sexy vampire/fey who makes a girl's heart go pitter patter! Misunderstood bad guy eludes the First Hunter for too long, now Iris needs to make a move.
So many crossover characters from Vampire Girl but not enough that you'd be lost without reading that series first.
This writing style is by far my favorite of Karpov Kinraid's books. Another home run.
myntop's review
3.0
There were parts of this book that I really enjoyed, and others that I didn't like as much. I definitely prefer the Vampire Girl books to this one. I loved the chapters told from Elias' POV, but didn't really care for the parts told by Iris.
The narrative told by Iris seemed to be directed at someone younger and read a bit condescending or patronizing at times. Though, to be fair, at times it reminded me of the character Dani from the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning, and I liked those instances.
The story itself was interesting, the search for this white rider and the first vampire and what a total shocker at the end. I think I would have enjoyed the story much more if the writing style had been closer to that of the VG series. I get that the author was trying to speak in the voice of this new character, and I'm sure a lot of people really loved it, but I just didn't. It's most assuredly a personal preference though.
I received an ARC of this book, which I voluntarily reviewed.
The narrative told by Iris seemed to be directed at someone younger and read a bit condescending or patronizing at times. Though, to be fair, at times it reminded me of the character Dani from the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning, and I liked those instances.
The story itself was interesting, the search for this white rider and the first vampire and what a total shocker at the end. I think I would have enjoyed the story much more if the writing style had been closer to that of the VG series. I get that the author was trying to speak in the voice of this new character, and I'm sure a lot of people really loved it, but I just didn't. It's most assuredly a personal preference though.
I received an ARC of this book, which I voluntarily reviewed.
More...