Scan barcode
orkaan's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
catseye6773's review against another edition
5.0
Audio book was awesome. Great characters. Good story both laugh out loud funny and very sweet
divapitbull's review against another edition
3.0
2 1/2 stars, rounded up for D. Will contain minor spoilers.
I liked the premise of the story: the conscience troubled hit man unable to kill an innocent man; who then ends up on the run, protecting him, with an unlikely romance developing. Things got a little messy in the execution. Of the story obviously, not the character. The plot was full of twisty turns, which often were pretty darn unbelievable. A private chat room for gossipy hit men exchanging information like a ladies bridge club? A high profile prosecutor making flame-ingly disciminatory and totally ludicrous accusations in a court room, resolving issues with a criminal cartel without a shred of violence - everyone being as cooperative as a band of boy scouts, just to name a few...it truly was a wild ride around the limits of credulity.
But I did like D. I liked him despite his horrifying mangling of the English language. I tried to "hear it in my head" because somehow envisioning it spoken quickly was less offensive than dwelling on the written word. My reaction to D. was on par with my reaction to a wounded puppy - I just wanted to see him safe and happy, loved and accepted. Which brings me to Jack. I was OK with Jack because he made D happy. I'm not entirely sure how...I really think D could have done better, or deserved better - but I went with it. Jack, I wanted to slap on several occasions. His black and white, overly simplistic perception of morality and ethics bordered on sanctimonious. And then with the stomping off hissy fits...he honestly read like a stereotypical female romance heroine - the kind I despise. But I did enjoy D enjoying being with him, opening up and coming out of his shell.
Plot-wise the story went on and on and on. Romance-wise the sex was Ok - nothing to right home about - loved their first time without lube (not really, fixated on how well that could be working out, I don't even think anyone bothered to spit), on an emotional level...I don't know, I don't entirely feel the connection mainly because of Jack's Pollyana view of how life and the world should work. Then again, maybe he serves as a stabilizing force, keeping D from going too far into the darkness. I still don't like him.
I liked the premise of the story: the conscience troubled hit man unable to kill an innocent man; who then ends up on the run, protecting him, with an unlikely romance developing. Things got a little messy in the execution. Of the story obviously, not the character. The plot was full of twisty turns, which often were pretty darn unbelievable. A private chat room for gossipy hit men exchanging information like a ladies bridge club? A high profile prosecutor making flame-ingly disciminatory and totally ludicrous accusations in a court room, resolving issues with a criminal cartel without a shred of violence - everyone being as cooperative as a band of boy scouts, just to name a few...it truly was a wild ride around the limits of credulity.
But I did like D. I liked him despite his horrifying mangling of the English language. I tried to "hear it in my head" because somehow envisioning it spoken quickly was less offensive than dwelling on the written word. My reaction to D. was on par with my reaction to a wounded puppy - I just wanted to see him safe and happy, loved and accepted. Which brings me to Jack. I was OK with Jack because he made D happy. I'm not entirely sure how...I really think D could have done better, or deserved better - but I went with it. Jack, I wanted to slap on several occasions. His black and white, overly simplistic perception of morality and ethics bordered on sanctimonious. And then with the stomping off hissy fits...he honestly read like a stereotypical female romance heroine - the kind I despise. But I did enjoy D enjoying being with him, opening up and coming out of his shell.
Plot-wise the story went on and on and on. Romance-wise the sex was Ok - nothing to right home about - loved their first time without lube (not really, fixated on how well that could be working out, I don't even think anyone bothered to spit), on an emotional level...I don't know, I don't entirely feel the connection mainly because of Jack's Pollyana view of how life and the world should work. Then again, maybe he serves as a stabilizing force, keeping D from going too far into the darkness. I still don't like him.
ntdan's review against another edition
5.0
the ending was a bit disappointing, but...
oh god, where do i even start
this book is literally my wet dream (pun intended)
the action, the romance, the fact that the characters actually act believably
and some of the quotes just hit so hard man
oh god, where do i even start
this book is literally my wet dream (pun intended)
the action, the romance, the fact that the characters actually act believably
and some of the quotes just hit so hard man
gloame's review against another edition
5.0
I finished this book several days ago and I still can't stop thinking about it. When I finished, I didn't even know what to do with myself. I have no idea what to say to do justice to what this book made me feel.
I just felt too much, I think, and it's hard to separate out what I loved, what I liked, and what didn't work for me. I just can't get enough of Jack and D, though. I feel like I read this book too early in my m/m romance kick because I can't imagine anything meeting the standard that Zero at the Bone has set.
I listened to this on audiobook first. I know that the narrator (Alan Smith) doesn't work for everyone, but he worked for me. Really well. The voice he gave to D was so perfect, as was the voice he gave to Jack. I don't think I would have been able to fall in love with this book as much as I did if I didn't first hear D's accent read aloud--because it's spelled out in dialect. If I'd read it first, I might've pictured Hagrid talking instead of the sexy, rough voice that Smith gives him. He did read fast, though, and he didn't slow down for the sex scenes. Those are better read, I think. In fact, I listened to the audiobook and then immediately went and bought the Kindle edition. I just need both.
Things that worked for me:
- Jack's characterization was so great; he was sassy and brave and strong and he still had room to feel things.
- D's characterization was even better; he was so dark and angsty but he was an absolute hot mess when it came to Jack. In a beautiful way. When he falls, he falls hard.
- There's an actual story behind this. It's not just an afterthought to the romance. There's an actual plot that works so well with them.
- Basically, everything. I am simultaneously in love with D and in love with Jack because D's in love with him. I really can't get this book out of my head and it's been 5 days.
Things that didn't work for me:
- As much as I want to say "More, more, more!" the epilogue didn't feel right to me. I think it was added in to set up for the sequel, and that's great, but it also leaves the ending a little bit angsty. And I really wanted that uncomplicated HEA.
Honestly, I'm having trouble returning to life after reading this book. It just won't let go of me.
I just felt too much, I think, and it's hard to separate out what I loved, what I liked, and what didn't work for me. I just can't get enough of Jack and D, though. I feel like I read this book too early in my m/m romance kick because I can't imagine anything meeting the standard that Zero at the Bone has set.
I listened to this on audiobook first. I know that the narrator (Alan Smith) doesn't work for everyone, but he worked for me. Really well. The voice he gave to D was so perfect, as was the voice he gave to Jack. I don't think I would have been able to fall in love with this book as much as I did if I didn't first hear D's accent read aloud--because it's spelled out in dialect. If I'd read it first, I might've pictured Hagrid talking instead of the sexy, rough voice that Smith gives him. He did read fast, though, and he didn't slow down for the sex scenes. Those are better read, I think. In fact, I listened to the audiobook and then immediately went and bought the Kindle edition. I just need both.
Things that worked for me:
- Jack's characterization was so great; he was sassy and brave and strong and he still had room to feel things.
- D's characterization was even better; he was so dark and angsty but he was an absolute hot mess when it came to Jack. In a beautiful way. When he falls, he falls hard.
- There's an actual story behind this. It's not just an afterthought to the romance. There's an actual plot that works so well with them.
- Basically, everything. I am simultaneously in love with D and in love with Jack because D's in love with him. I really can't get this book out of my head and it's been 5 days.
Things that didn't work for me:
- As much as I want to say "More, more, more!" the epilogue didn't feel right to me. I think it was added in to set up for the sequel, and that's great, but it also leaves the ending a little bit angsty. And I really wanted that uncomplicated HEA.
Honestly, I'm having trouble returning to life after reading this book. It just won't let go of me.
paperpotato's review against another edition
4.0
I managed to finish about 80% of the book until I lost interest. I genuinely enjoyed it, but it was mostly for the plot. I didn't like the way they handled a lot of their fights - the two weren't as diplomatic as I expected two grown men to be.
bronwynheeley's review against another edition
4.0
...
3.5 STARS for the Manga art by Son Gaepi.
this one was interesting because it was the first I've read that I had read the original (and loved) before reading the manga. it was jumpy, the scene just sorta moved into something different without moment to have a break, which wasn't the worse. it seemed they decided to follow only one sub-plot from the original story which I liked. If i was honest I was worried about how they'd put a whole novel into a manga. I did think the second last scene wasn't needed in this version and kinda felt a little out of place, and this is mainly because of where this books ends, which isn't where the novel ends. it was good, I enjoyed the reading more then I have any of the other ones I'd read in this line, so that's something.
3.5 STARS for the Manga art by Son Gaepi.
this one was interesting because it was the first I've read that I had read the original (and loved) before reading the manga. it was jumpy, the scene just sorta moved into something different without moment to have a break, which wasn't the worse. it seemed they decided to follow only one sub-plot from the original story which I liked. If i was honest I was worried about how they'd put a whole novel into a manga. I did think the second last scene wasn't needed in this version and kinda felt a little out of place, and this is mainly because of where this books ends, which isn't where the novel ends. it was good, I enjoyed the reading more then I have any of the other ones I'd read in this line, so that's something.
yuusasih's review against another edition
3.0
3,5 stars
Well, this story got me attached again into suspense genre. I would say suspense wise, this story was great, though I feel like some action described painstakingly slow sometimes I lose the thrill of the scene. Mystery wise, well, no mystery to be solve, which kind of dissapoint me since I was a detective/mystery freak. The mystery in this story not letting any clue to let the reader guessing who the culprit, just safe the mystery until we presented with who's actually blackmailed D. so no mystery to be solved, but I still accept that.
As for romance, the built of the relationship was great and at perfect pace I like it to be my standard. they slowly built their feelings and trust and that was just so damn cute. And oh, the sex scenes were described implicitly, which was new and refreshing for me. But somehow, I don't now why, I can't love them enough to be rivaled Ty and Zane from Cut&Run series, or even Matt and Evan from Faith, Love & Devotion series. Maybe because this couple was a typical couple with one half came from the dark and the other was like angel who came from all happy and full of light place and would somehow pull the dark from the other, which is, one-side tending. Maybe I have more attraction to a couple with their own dark history and found each other to heal and strugling with their own demon to keep the relationship--which is what I found in Ty and Zane, to hell with their bad plot and all.
What I found rather disturbing was the plot pace. This story tend to get... expanded? From the beginning to where they hide in Redding, it was all suspense and thrill and it was fun to read. But then in Redding the pace started to slow down. First it was good because it gave more space to their relationship, but after they got off Redding, the slowing pace became highly disturbing. Some parts feels like best left out and were there just for the lenght sake--because the trial, the proper climax for me, got in page 150ish and the story finished in nearly page 300. And the author's intention to keep stalling became evident over page 200, I mean, the story need a conclusion of their relationship for 50 pages? Man, even just to let D said love to Jack need a car crash and jack-being-a-sudden-hero?
Other than that, the suspense is great, like I said before. And the suspense in here seems real, down to earth and not showed off. I love it when D blatantly said that Jack idea of strategy came from his hobby of watching stupid movies, which it is, movies sometimes get overreacted, but this story was not. D didn't appear to be some kind of superhero hit man who cannot get down with some bullets through his flesh--heck, he even get infection just from one bullet in his shoulder, and that was true.
All in all, this story couldn attached me more if it keep the plot flow in faster pace. But I still love this story, anyway--duh, Imma sucker for a suspense/romance.
Well, this story got me attached again into suspense genre. I would say suspense wise, this story was great, though I feel like some action described painstakingly slow sometimes I lose the thrill of the scene. Mystery wise, well, no mystery to be solve, which kind of dissapoint me since I was a detective/mystery freak. The mystery in this story not letting any clue to let the reader guessing who the culprit, just safe the mystery until we presented with who's actually blackmailed D. so no mystery to be solved, but I still accept that.
As for romance, the built of the relationship was great and at perfect pace I like it to be my standard. they slowly built their feelings and trust and that was just so damn cute. And oh, the sex scenes were described implicitly, which was new and refreshing for me. But somehow, I don't now why, I can't love them enough to be rivaled Ty and Zane from Cut&Run series, or even Matt and Evan from Faith, Love & Devotion series. Maybe because this couple was a typical couple with one half came from the dark and the other was like angel who came from all happy and full of light place and would somehow pull the dark from the other, which is, one-side tending. Maybe I have more attraction to a couple with their own dark history and found each other to heal and strugling with their own demon to keep the relationship--which is what I found in Ty and Zane, to hell with their bad plot and all.
What I found rather disturbing was the plot pace. This story tend to get... expanded? From the beginning to where they hide in Redding, it was all suspense and thrill and it was fun to read. But then in Redding the pace started to slow down. First it was good because it gave more space to their relationship, but after they got off Redding, the slowing pace became highly disturbing. Some parts feels like best left out and were there just for the lenght sake--because the trial, the proper climax for me, got in page 150ish and the story finished in nearly page 300. And the author's intention to keep stalling became evident over page 200, I mean, the story need a conclusion of their relationship for 50 pages? Man, even just to let D said love to Jack need a car crash and jack-being-a-sudden-hero?
Other than that, the suspense is great, like I said before. And the suspense in here seems real, down to earth and not showed off. I love it when D blatantly said that Jack idea of strategy came from his hobby of watching stupid movies, which it is, movies sometimes get overreacted, but this story was not. D didn't appear to be some kind of superhero hit man who cannot get down with some bullets through his flesh--heck, he even get infection just from one bullet in his shoulder, and that was true.
All in all, this story couldn attached me more if it keep the plot flow in faster pace. But I still love this story, anyway--duh, Imma sucker for a suspense/romance.
teresab78's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars
So, this is my third time listening to this book, and I loved it just as much. I'm not sure why I didn't review it before, but it is possible I did and goodreads lost it, lol.
There are flaws but both characters are so real. There is a lot of action and danger, but it was great to see D open up. It had been long enough since I listened to it last that I had forgotten some details; it was like getting to listen to it the first time!
I just wish I had remembered to skip D's recount of a op gone bad in the epilogue - I really didn't need that image in my head. If you are at all squeamish about bad things happening to children, I suggest you skip it too.
So, this is my third time listening to this book, and I loved it just as much. I'm not sure why I didn't review it before, but it is possible I did and goodreads lost it, lol.
There are flaws but both characters are so real. There is a lot of action and danger, but it was great to see D open up. It had been long enough since I listened to it last that I had forgotten some details; it was like getting to listen to it the first time!
I just wish I had remembered to skip D's recount of a op gone bad in the epilogue - I really didn't need that image in my head. If you are at all squeamish about bad things happening to children, I suggest you skip it too.