You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
Loved the climate of the city and the imagery. The romance seemed a bit forced and the story itself is very bland. The villains are very unimaginative and the protagonists being some sort of fated pairs is very dull as well.Their love is understandable after their previous sacrifices for their families but it felt too abrupt. Overall nothing special but also nothing too bad.
I normally love Illona Andrews books, and I thoroughly enjoyed the other novellas in this Kinsmen universe, but unfortunately I did not care for this one. I felt like it just dragged on for too long, but then the relationship still felt very rushed at the end despite the longer book length. I think this story had potential, but it would have been better if it had been edited down to a short story/novella like the earlier books in the Kinsmen series.
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was a great little book. Even though it was the third in the series it didn’t seem too confusing having not read number one or two. I really enjoyed the compact style of world building and the focused narrative. Switching between the two main characters perspectives in the romance was a good style, and I appreciated both of their voices.
While, the “fated to be together” trope can seem overused, the way that the author put this one was actually pretty believable. They explained just enough in-world “science” behind it to make it not gag-worthy. Thus, the quick to fall in love story was really fun and kind of ideal for me in a romance.
And honestly the “generational hate” trope always pains me and I generally find kind of silly, so the fact that the characters were able to end it made me super happy.
Also, the action was superb and some of the quips very entertaining.
The one thing I couldn’t get over it was the brother’s name, Karion. But… That’s a pretty minor detail.
While, the “fated to be together” trope can seem overused, the way that the author put this one was actually pretty believable. They explained just enough in-world “science” behind it to make it not gag-worthy. Thus, the quick to fall in love story was really fun and kind of ideal for me in a romance.
And honestly the “generational hate” trope always pains me and I generally find kind of silly, so the fact that the characters were able to end it made me super happy.
Also, the action was superb and some of the quips very entertaining.
The one thing I couldn’t get over it was the brother’s name, Karion. But… That’s a pretty minor detail.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I'm a die-hard Andrews fan, so I'm primed to like most anything they produce. That said, I like the Hidden Legacy series a bit more than this one. I don't know, it feels kind of less invested in if you know what I mean?
There's still a kick-butt heroine, a steely and determined hero, lots and lots of lascivious descriptions of firearms, gunships, battle strategy, etc. you would expect from Andrews, but the novel itself feels very short. There's several points where the hero or the heroine just up and tell each other their secrets without too much fuss that would have been much more drawn out to better emotional impact were this Kate Daniels or Hidden Legacy.
Still. Such coolness. A planet with a stratified society where some wield power weapons out of their forearms? A hidden temple in a rain forest? Really terrible awfully bad villains actually named "Vandals" you can totally root for to be destroyed?
The emotional contract and release of two people literally made for each other but who are Hatfield/McCoy opposite sides of generational conflict?
So much fun. You don't need to read the other books in the series to enjoy this one. It felt very much like a one-off.
There's still a kick-butt heroine, a steely and determined hero, lots and lots of lascivious descriptions of firearms, gunships, battle strategy, etc. you would expect from Andrews, but the novel itself feels very short. There's several points where the hero or the heroine just up and tell each other their secrets without too much fuss that would have been much more drawn out to better emotional impact were this Kate Daniels or Hidden Legacy.
Still. Such coolness. A planet with a stratified society where some wield power weapons out of their forearms? A hidden temple in a rain forest? Really terrible awfully bad villains actually named "Vandals" you can totally root for to be destroyed?
The emotional contract and release of two people literally made for each other but who are Hatfield/McCoy opposite sides of generational conflict?
So much fun. You don't need to read the other books in the series to enjoy this one. It felt very much like a one-off.
That was fun. Nice light read for my first Kindle book.
Not entirely sure how this kindle thing works, but I’m practicing.
2023 reread. Reread because I bought the audiobook on sale. This is a bit less than the Kate Daniels series, and I am not sure I like the narrator.
Not entirely sure how this kindle thing works, but I’m practicing.
2023 reread. Reread because I bought the audiobook on sale. This is a bit less than the Kate Daniels series, and I am not sure I like the narrator.
The Andrews couple stuns again with an incredibly tight plot that leaves you breathless and wanting more at the same time. I've been waiting for another adventure on the Dahlia planet because the previous one - Silver Shark - was one of my favorite books I read the year it was published (aka 2011 - it's been ten years? time isn't real). The Romeo & Juliet twist made the couple dynamics very entertaining, what with both of the protagonists being the heads of rival Houses and at the same time having cheating spouses who put them in the awkward position of working together. I enjoyed the typical IA banter and the way their relationship went from enemies to begrudging allies to lovers, it felt very organic to me, although the novella was action packed and quite short.
As a plus, I liked the subtle LGBTQ inclusiveness the IA are known for, the Davenport House sounds like a riot and I, for one, would love to know more!
All in all, I hope they return to this universe because I find these powered up Italian mob style families very exciting, and I would love to see books doing them justice. I know there's plenty more to explore in this universe.
As a plus, I liked the subtle LGBTQ inclusiveness the IA are known for, the Davenport House sounds like a riot and I, for one, would love to know more!
All in all, I hope they return to this universe because I find these powered up Italian mob style families very exciting, and I would love to see books doing them justice. I know there's plenty more to explore in this universe.
adventurous
challenging
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated