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callmepops's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
demonsreadtoo's review
4.0
This one turned out to be nothing like I’d thought it would. The first chapter didn’t reel me in so I set aside for a few days, little did I know, chapter two was completely different. For some reason I’d expected it to be all about demon hunting, instead it turned into an awesome paranormal conspiracy. The characters felt real, each with their own intertwined histories that made them who they were. Here, not only did the main character get ample development time, the two sidekicks did as well. While there could have been more on the romance front, with the tight timeframe of the plot, I’m relieved it didn’t fall into the trappings of insta-luv.
Read full review at Demons Read Too
Read full review at Demons Read Too
ac223's review
3.0
Every Other Day turned out better than I expected. Two hundred years ago humans discovered the existence of creatures that were once only in fairy tales. Kali is a normal teenager, well she is, but only half of the time. The other half she has the preternatural abilities to destroy the hellhounds, kelpies, and dragons. She heals quickly, sees clearly, and has a hunters knowledge. She is the only one of her kind, and doesn't know why she has these abilities. Kali is used to sticking to the shadows, going unnoticed, and doing her job. When she sees the ouroboros mark on the popular chic Bethany, she knows she has to help. The mark indicates that a blood sucking parasite, or chupacabra has picked you for a host, and you will be alive only a matter of days. With no friends, no mother, and a dad who she only occasionally speaks to she decides that she has no other choice but to help, and at least if it doesn't work no one will miss her. What she doesn't count on is gaining a few friends along the way.
*********************Spoilers/ Recap*********************
Skyler "the school slut" though not really, just mean girl gossip, meets Kali at a school function. She is a little bit psychic, and entirely accurate. Bethany, the popular ice queen, makes it quickly known that she despises not only Skyler, but Kali by association. Turns out that Bethany is dating Skylar's brother, why she would talk that way to her boyfriends sister is beyond me... When Kali notices the ouroboros mark on Bethany, she tempts the chupacabra into her body. Once the mark shows on humans they only have a few days left. Kali knows that if she can make it until dawn, the change will kill the parasite. What she doesn't count on is that Bethany was infected intentionally by a group that is using paranormal creatures as experiments. Zeb is another 'lonely one, or vampire' like Kali. With the parasite they don't die as humans but become stronger, and are linked with one another. Since the parasite isn't feeding on it's host, they must drink enough blood to feed it. Hence the vampire term. Zeb is being kept by the organization, Chimera, and imprisoned to be used for their own experiments. Kali, the heroine, true to her description is determined to rescue him. She later discovers her mother, who walked out on her at age three, is part of the Chimera, and issued the attack on Kali. In the end it's revealed that Kali's parents attempted experiments before conception to create the vampire child. Kali doesn't know of the experiments, because she didn't show signs until puberty, and her mother was long gone by then. The worst part about the book is when Skyler dies during the final battle. She was my favorite, and I hated she didn't make it. :(
*********************Spoilers/ Recap*********************
Skyler "the school slut" though not really, just mean girl gossip, meets Kali at a school function. She is a little bit psychic, and entirely accurate. Bethany, the popular ice queen, makes it quickly known that she despises not only Skyler, but Kali by association. Turns out that Bethany is dating Skylar's brother, why she would talk that way to her boyfriends sister is beyond me... When Kali notices the ouroboros mark on Bethany, she tempts the chupacabra into her body. Once the mark shows on humans they only have a few days left. Kali knows that if she can make it until dawn, the change will kill the parasite. What she doesn't count on is that Bethany was infected intentionally by a group that is using paranormal creatures as experiments. Zeb is another 'lonely one, or vampire' like Kali. With the parasite they don't die as humans but become stronger, and are linked with one another. Since the parasite isn't feeding on it's host, they must drink enough blood to feed it. Hence the vampire term. Zeb is being kept by the organization, Chimera, and imprisoned to be used for their own experiments. Kali, the heroine, true to her description is determined to rescue him. She later discovers her mother, who walked out on her at age three, is part of the Chimera, and issued the attack on Kali. In the end it's revealed that Kali's parents attempted experiments before conception to create the vampire child. Kali doesn't know of the experiments, because she didn't show signs until puberty, and her mother was long gone by then. The worst part about the book is when Skyler dies during the final battle. She was my favorite, and I hated she didn't make it. :(
missprint_'s review
2.0
Every Other Day by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (2011)
After reading and loving Barnes' Trial by Fire I decided to pick up Barnes' latest (standalone) book even though the mechanics of Kali's day-to-day change gave me pause. My expectations were probably too high and too reliant on comparisons to Barnes Raised by Wolves series.
Kali's shift every other day between human and more than human was a great premise and made for an interesting premise. No one writes tough, action-ready heroines better than Barnes. That said, having Kali transform every other day into a super hunter made it really hard to connect with her character even as I wanted to sympathize with her feelings of being torn in two by the constant changing.
The pieces just didn't come together as well as I wanted them to between slow pacing in the beginning and an ending that felt unsatisfying. While the alternate history Barnes created is genius, the characters and story did not stand up to the Raised by Wolves standard. This book does still have all of the pieces for a great action-filled, girl power-ed story. It will appeal strongly to fans of Buffy, adventure, and Barnes' signature mix of sharp-tongued heroines and action.
After reading and loving Barnes' Trial by Fire I decided to pick up Barnes' latest (standalone) book even though the mechanics of Kali's day-to-day change gave me pause. My expectations were probably too high and too reliant on comparisons to Barnes Raised by Wolves series.
Kali's shift every other day between human and more than human was a great premise and made for an interesting premise. No one writes tough, action-ready heroines better than Barnes. That said, having Kali transform every other day into a super hunter made it really hard to connect with her character even as I wanted to sympathize with her feelings of being torn in two by the constant changing.
The pieces just didn't come together as well as I wanted them to between slow pacing in the beginning and an ending that felt unsatisfying. While the alternate history Barnes created is genius, the characters and story did not stand up to the Raised by Wolves standard. This book does still have all of the pieces for a great action-filled, girl power-ed story. It will appeal strongly to fans of Buffy, adventure, and Barnes' signature mix of sharp-tongued heroines and action.
paulblart's review
3.0
*3.5 Stars* This book was alright. I felt like a lot of the characters in this novel were underdeveloped and the plot line just sort of became weird towards the end of the book. Sadly, my favorite character had to be killed off. She was one of those characters that just didn't deserve it. The book was left at a huge cliffhanger and I don't think there is a second book. I personally did not like the author's writing style, so that made it harder for me to enjoy the book. If you like supernatural books with vampires, zombies, and such... then this book would be perfect for you.
hmbarnum1's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.25
meimpink's review
1.0
Absolutely terrible: the characters were flat (especially the side characters); the dialogue was unrealistic (no one talks like that, especially teenagers); the plot was ridiculous (some pretty screwed up "twists" at the end); and the author tried way too hard to make the main character seem cool when in reality, she just sounded absurd. The "romance" was awkward to read because there was so little, yet the characters seemed to be in love. And overall, the characters' actions were unrealistic. There was a character death that I felt was thrown in just to some "emotional depth" to it, but it failed at that.
bibliophile_booklover's review
5.0
I enjoyed this book very much. I liked that kali would try to help people even when she wasn't in her invincible mode. I hope there will be another book
jenbsbooks's review
4.0
3.5 Stars. This was one of those book that I just happened to pick up. I hadn't heard anything about it ... the blurb seemed interesting, the reviews basically positive, and it was available for immediate download from the library when I needed a book.
I ended up really liking it. It was one that just grabbed you quickly. It was very conversational, easy to read. A lot of action, a lot of humor which I enjoyed! Just attitude like "Reid gave her A Look, capital A, capital L" ... statements like that make me smile and really reflect fondly on my reading!
I did find myself wanting to come back and spend more time with the story (and for prolonged mid-day reading, I require myself to ride the stationary bike while reading, and I like when a book is good enough that it does encourage me to exercise more!)
The book I JUST read (Soulless) talked about the preternatural ... a word I hadn't really heard before, but here it was again! And like the setting of that book, the supernatural creatures out there were known to everyday humankind.
A quotes I highlighted ...
"When you really think about it, we're all broken. That's just what life does. It knocks you down and it breaks you and you either get back up again, or you don't."
"He meant the words, I knew he did, but that didn't make me believe them. It didn't make them true."
I don't think this is a "book 1" but I could see the story continuing on (although the ending had enough closure for a single book as well).
I ended up really liking it. It was one that just grabbed you quickly. It was very conversational, easy to read. A lot of action, a lot of humor which I enjoyed! Just attitude like "Reid gave her A Look, capital A, capital L" ... statements like that make me smile and really reflect fondly on my reading!
I did find myself wanting to come back and spend more time with the story (and for prolonged mid-day reading, I require myself to ride the stationary bike while reading, and I like when a book is good enough that it does encourage me to exercise more!)
The book I JUST read (Soulless) talked about the preternatural ... a word I hadn't really heard before, but here it was again! And like the setting of that book, the supernatural creatures out there were known to everyday humankind.
A quotes I highlighted ...
"When you really think about it, we're all broken. That's just what life does. It knocks you down and it breaks you and you either get back up again, or you don't."
"He meant the words, I knew he did, but that didn't make me believe them. It didn't make them true."
I don't think this is a "book 1" but I could see the story continuing on (although the ending had enough closure for a single book as well).