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fjordic's review
3.0
Meh. Got it as part of the fantasy bundle and just started reading. Glad I can go read something else now.
jasmyn9's review against another edition
3.0
Diana Tregarde is a guardian who is sworn to protect those who ask for her help. She finds herself caught up in a complex series of what at first appears to be coincidence, but with the help of her friends and a man she just met, she puts the pieces together to find that many of the strange things happening were really linked together.
Diana experiences every possible emotion in this book and Lackey is there to show them to us in a detailed way that leaves the reader grinning at her jokes, wishing we could give her comfort as she cries, and wanting to hide in the corner with her fears.
Overall, quite a good book. The story was engaging from the beginning and had enough twists and turns to keep you interested without confusing or muddling the chain of events. Personally, I would have liked to see the characters of Lenny and Keith, who in their own way played quite an important, if small role, expanded on a little more as they seemed a bit flat. At times the story began to turn towards a romance novel, but before it could get too far Lackey reigned it in and got back on track.
Diana experiences every possible emotion in this book and Lackey is there to show them to us in a detailed way that leaves the reader grinning at her jokes, wishing we could give her comfort as she cries, and wanting to hide in the corner with her fears.
Overall, quite a good book. The story was engaging from the beginning and had enough twists and turns to keep you interested without confusing or muddling the chain of events. Personally, I would have liked to see the characters of Lenny and Keith, who in their own way played quite an important, if small role, expanded on a little more as they seemed a bit flat. At times the story began to turn towards a romance novel, but before it could get too far Lackey reigned it in and got back on track.
iffer's review
2.0
Shrug. This was fine insofar as it was entertaining, but very...80s early 90s, both in terms of the cheesiness, as well as several problematic things: stating that Romani think they're better than everyone casually; using the word "Oriental" repeatedly to describe people; and using flooding techniques to "cure" Diana's PTSD. Kind of yikes, but also a product of its time and genre.
ixalia's review
2.0
I first read this as a teenager, and figured it was free to read on kindle, I'd give it a re-read. Alas, it has not aged well!
Written in the late 80's, the language and attitudes of the characters really reflects that, and not always in a good way.
That said, it's a semi-diverse cast, especially for a book published in 1990, though some representation is done okay, other bits not so much. The f-slur is metioned at least once (used to make fun of people that would use that word seriously), and g*psy is used multiple times. While this was a more socially acceptable word in the 80's & 90's, it's never used in a way that felt outright derogatory within the text. However, I'm not a member of that community so my opinion carries little weight on that point. It is a word that nowadays would (hopefully) not be used in any context.
The pacing is fast enough that you don't get bogged down in the occasional melodrama of the characters, who do occasionally feel two dimensional, especially some of the background characters.
It's not the best book, but my opinion is coloured by nostalgia, so... 2.5 stars.
Written in the late 80's, the language and attitudes of the characters really reflects that, and not always in a good way.
That said, it's a semi-diverse cast, especially for a book published in 1990, though some representation is done okay, other bits not so much. The f-slur is metioned at least once (used to make fun of people that would use that word seriously), and g*psy is used multiple times. While this was a more socially acceptable word in the 80's & 90's, it's never used in a way that felt outright derogatory within the text. However, I'm not a member of that community so my opinion carries little weight on that point. It is a word that nowadays would (hopefully) not be used in any context.
The pacing is fast enough that you don't get bogged down in the occasional melodrama of the characters, who do occasionally feel two dimensional, especially some of the background characters.
It's not the best book, but my opinion is coloured by nostalgia, so... 2.5 stars.
pstegosaurus's review
2.0
I was disappointed because I enjoyed the first one. There was too much mental narration through Do’s thoughts. This is listed as the second in the series, but events seem like they occur before burning water.
kesnit's review
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
soulfulsin's review
Considerably darker and more gripping than most of Mercedes Lackey's pieces, it has a marked detachment from her normal writing. Perhaps Diana Tregarde was not in Ms. Lackey's comfort zone in terms of writing, which, among other things, would explain why it was discontinued. Still, a very enjoyable read and typical of her demonstrated openness about homosexuality, sexuality in general, and classic writing style.
I just wish reading it didn't remind me I wanted to read Salem's Lot. Heh.
I just wish reading it didn't remind me I wanted to read Salem's Lot. Heh.
kueltzo's review
3.0
I stumbled across this as part of a package ibook. Its an easy read, and the characters are likable. I wasn't drawn into it enough, though, to go looking for the rest of the series.
xeni's review
3.0
This book still haunts me today, a few years after I read it. The idea of psychic vampires was a new one for me... as was emotional vampires. E.G. as in vampires who suck the emotions out of their victims.
It really shouldn't have been, but it was, and thus the book still haunts me. I am glad that Diana managed to wrap up the mystery by the end, even though this was one of the freakier ones. Wait, what am I saying? All of Diana Tregarde's stories are whacky and crazy and completely freaky. I think this was where Lackey was exploring the darker side of the paranormal genre. xD Yes, darker than vampires and werewolves gone bad!
It really shouldn't have been, but it was, and thus the book still haunts me. I am glad that Diana managed to wrap up the mystery by the end, even though this was one of the freakier ones. Wait, what am I saying? All of Diana Tregarde's stories are whacky and crazy and completely freaky. I think this was where Lackey was exploring the darker side of the paranormal genre. xD Yes, darker than vampires and werewolves gone bad!
ellenw's review against another edition
4.0
Shhhh. It's a fun book! Also, this was where I was introduced to the sexy French vampire concept -- it didn't stick, in my case, because I actually think vampires are creepy and supposed to be creepy. But it was probably an early example of that now-thriving subgenre.