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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
Although I thought the first book in Shannon Mayer’s Alpha Territories series (Taken by Fate) was “meh” the author set up some interesting plot points that I was hopeful would be explored in the second installment. Alas, this was not the case; Hunted by Fate was a hot mess, feeling less like a fully formed novel and more like a bunch of incomplete ideas thrown against the wall to see what sticks. Hunted by Fate picks up immediately after the events of the first installment with Sienna, Bee, and Will running from Edmund and straight into werewolf territory where they hope to from an alliance to defeat Edmund. In the meantime, Dominic plots to overthrow Edmund, installing Will on the throne.
For a short book, half of which is Sienna and company running away from the Vampire Court, the pace felt sluggish with nothing really happening. Dominic spends most of the book plotting and scheming to overthrow Edmund, and when the confrontation finally happens . . . . nothing. No battle, no fight, no confrontation, no accusations, no resolution . . . just a few swings of the sword, confirmation of a betrayal that was telegraphed from book one, and everyone goes back to their corner. Speaking of the betrayal; how is it that Dominic was blind to the fact that BETRAYER was going to double cross him? BETRAYER’s actions and conversations telegraphed what was going to happen from the first time they were introduced to the story. Sienna knew BETRAYER was going to double cross them, yet she said nothing because she was mad at Dominic ¯\_(ツ)_/¯? Really? Also, BETRAYER’s reason for their double cross was petty.
This installment was filled with so many poorly executed tropes. Sienna falls into the “not like other girls” who is so “special, but doesn’t know it” trope, with everyone falling “in love” with her and (inexplicably) willing to help her the second they met her. There’s the “keep an important thing secret from the person who needs it the most” trope; several people mentioned that Sienna isn’t what she seems, not fully human – with the Duchess even stating “I know who and what you are” – but no one bothers to tell Sienna . . . why? Sienna not only comes to gripe with her power – after accidently healing Havoc – she “powers up” and now has control over it? Huh? Of course, the reader is also subjected to the “I really love them, but I must send them away to protect them” coupled with “I can’t tell them why I’m acting the way I am, it’s for their own good” trope. Ugh! So. Many. Bad. Tropes.
I did not like the two main characters (Sienna and Dominic), I found them flat and one-dimensional, highly annoying, self-absorbed, and thoroughly unlikeable. Dominic was every bad alpha male character rolled into one giant lump of machoism; his constant refrain of “must save Sienna”, “she’s mine, I possess her” or his desire to kill anyone who looks at, touches, or thinks about her was irritating and off-putting. Sienna wasn’t any better; she was willing to sacrifice anyone and anything (including her “friends”) to “save” Jordan, not bothering to consider their feelings or any potential harm she would cause.
The worst aspect of this installment was the “romance” between Sienna and Dominic. I found their relationship forced and artificial, and never bought into their extreme devotion and bond – especially when you consider that Sienna has had nightmares about Dominic hunting her down and terrorizing her for years. I don’t care how “hot” someone is, if they’ve been hunting me in my dreams for years, it would take more than a single glimpse before I overcame my fear and suspicion. The two came off as the worst type of angsty-emo teens who, when not doing something incredibly stupid, were busy fantasizing about f****** each other. And when they finally did, the sex scenes were incredibly awkward. Shannon Mayer knows how to write a good steamy scene; these were just bad.
Hunted by Fate was disappointing on so many levels, and I will not be continuing with the series.
For a short book, half of which is Sienna and company running away from the Vampire Court, the pace felt sluggish with nothing really happening. Dominic spends most of the book plotting and scheming to overthrow Edmund, and when the confrontation finally happens . . . . nothing. No battle, no fight, no confrontation, no accusations, no resolution . . . just a few swings of the sword, confirmation of a betrayal that was telegraphed from book one, and everyone goes back to their corner. Speaking of the betrayal; how is it that Dominic was blind to the fact that BETRAYER was going to double cross him? BETRAYER’s actions and conversations telegraphed what was going to happen from the first time they were introduced to the story. Sienna knew BETRAYER was going to double cross them, yet she said nothing because she was mad at Dominic ¯\_(ツ)_/¯? Really? Also, BETRAYER’s reason for their double cross was petty.
This installment was filled with so many poorly executed tropes. Sienna falls into the “not like other girls” who is so “special, but doesn’t know it” trope, with everyone falling “in love” with her and (inexplicably) willing to help her the second they met her. There’s the “keep an important thing secret from the person who needs it the most” trope; several people mentioned that Sienna isn’t what she seems, not fully human – with the Duchess even stating “I know who and what you are” – but no one bothers to tell Sienna . . . why? Sienna not only comes to gripe with her power – after accidently healing Havoc – she “powers up” and now has control over it? Huh? Of course, the reader is also subjected to the “I really love them, but I must send them away to protect them” coupled with “I can’t tell them why I’m acting the way I am, it’s for their own good” trope. Ugh! So. Many. Bad. Tropes.
I did not like the two main characters (Sienna and Dominic), I found them flat and one-dimensional, highly annoying, self-absorbed, and thoroughly unlikeable. Dominic was every bad alpha male character rolled into one giant lump of machoism; his constant refrain of “must save Sienna”, “she’s mine, I possess her” or his desire to kill anyone who looks at, touches, or thinks about her was irritating and off-putting. Sienna wasn’t any better; she was willing to sacrifice anyone and anything (including her “friends”) to “save” Jordan, not bothering to consider their feelings or any potential harm she would cause.
The worst aspect of this installment was the “romance” between Sienna and Dominic. I found their relationship forced and artificial, and never bought into their extreme devotion and bond – especially when you consider that Sienna has had nightmares about Dominic hunting her down and terrorizing her for years. I don’t care how “hot” someone is, if they’ve been hunting me in my dreams for years, it would take more than a single glimpse before I overcame my fear and suspicion. The two came off as the worst type of angsty-emo teens who, when not doing something incredibly stupid, were busy fantasizing about f****** each other. And when they finally did, the sex scenes were incredibly awkward. Shannon Mayer knows how to write a good steamy scene; these were just bad.
Hunted by Fate was disappointing on so many levels, and I will not be continuing with the series.
This is a DNF for me. Definitely needs better editing. At one point the FMC compares the size of a werewolf as being as "big as a Subaru" with claws like Ginsu knives. Pretty sure in this world cars don't exist, let alone.'As Seen on TV" knives.
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-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
“I don’t think you’re a fool, not at all. How can we possibly understand what we are up against when the rules of the game are hidden from us?”
The King is dead. My life is on the line. When Dominic’s aunt comes to me with a plan to escape, it’s my only hope that we don’t get caught by the sadistic Edmund, now King. Running for our lives seems to be coming far too often for me, Sienna, and my best friend here at the castle, Bree. As we set out on the run for our lives, we are also taking with us Will, the next in line for the throne. He’s sick, getting sicker, and we are all afraid it’s the bloodworm that will kill him, not the arrows from the opposition. As we run to the border, will we be allowed to cross over into Werewolf territory? Or will we die hiding?
Sienna has the guts we all wish we had at one point in our lives. She’s such a strong FMC that you race through this story waiting to see what she’s going to do next. Now that she’s embracing, just a little bit, that she is different than most humans, she is changing to not only to herself, but to those around her. I love that Shannon Mayer is taking us on the run along with Sienna and her friends, but boy I wish these books had bigger breaths, because wow, what a ride. Super-fast read, great chemistry and side characters, and Sienna & Dominic are both denying what is right in front of their faces.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-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:
Yes
Godddd does this series get hotter by the book!! That ending tho!! I can’t wait for book 3!
Ugh I wanted so much more from this book. I am really enjoying this story and I like the protagonist but this book just felt rushed :/