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jbarr5's review
4.0
After the Storm by Maya Banks
Donovan works with his brothers who all cater to the needs of a few. The government calls on them to retrieve kidnapped people where they can't go.
Rusty Barnes Kelley has been adopted by the Kelley's and she' s grateful for being part of a large safe family.
The company would right another wrong. getting a woman out of an abused situation or relocating them to a safe place.
Rusty has hired the boy, Travis who lives with his sister, Eve and her daughter, Cammie. Van notices how thin and starving they are when he and Rusty go to visit. The house is deplorable and he tries to help them.
Love bantering with the Kelley family at gatherings. Kind of confusing to take all 6 of the brothers in with their spouses and kids but after a while you get used to them all.
Eve has her secrets and keeps them to herself to protect her brother and sister from harm.
After the tornado the brothers move in to help them out. What I like is that excitement and action knowing the father is going to find the family and want them back. We learn why they are on the run...
Love the total family connection throughout also, steamy sex scenes. Telepathic abilities enhance this book.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Donovan works with his brothers who all cater to the needs of a few. The government calls on them to retrieve kidnapped people where they can't go.
Rusty Barnes Kelley has been adopted by the Kelley's and she' s grateful for being part of a large safe family.
The company would right another wrong. getting a woman out of an abused situation or relocating them to a safe place.
Rusty has hired the boy, Travis who lives with his sister, Eve and her daughter, Cammie. Van notices how thin and starving they are when he and Rusty go to visit. The house is deplorable and he tries to help them.
Love bantering with the Kelley family at gatherings. Kind of confusing to take all 6 of the brothers in with their spouses and kids but after a while you get used to them all.
Eve has her secrets and keeps them to herself to protect her brother and sister from harm.
After the tornado the brothers move in to help them out. What I like is that excitement and action knowing the father is going to find the family and want them back. We learn why they are on the run...
Love the total family connection throughout also, steamy sex scenes. Telepathic abilities enhance this book.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
jonkerkat's review
2.0
I thought the first book on the series was bad… but this takes the cake. Eve is running away from an abusive controlling step father. And donavan comes in all caveman you are mine blah blah blah and suddenly they are having sex??? I got whiplash!!!! I know these books are typically rushed but based on eves history I thought it would be a little slower. Especially since her step father was so controlling… Also Van hasn’t been interested in anyone and just happens to meet Eve and is willing to throw everything away.
jgilge's review
3.0
Couldn't help but notice the amount of reused lines in this one. But I did enjoy watching Van fall, and a new plot that wasn't as over-the-top as some of the others.
tiredcat's review
2.0
I was disappointed that the plot was not developed well. The relationship happened too fast and did not seem natural or credible.
eurynome's review
3.0
Üzüldüm aslında okurken. Favori yazarlarımdan biri olan Maya Banks, beni bu kitabında birazcık kaybetti. Aşkı hissedemedim. Birden bir de baktım ki karakterler birbirlerine aşık olmuş. Donovan kısmını anlayabiliyorum ama Eve? Fazla hızlıydı bence.
laurenjodi's review
1.0
After the Storm
1 Star
Beware! Rant ahead!
OMG! What in the name of all that is holy was that?!
It is virtually impossible to associate this book with the rest of the KGI series. The writing is simply appalling with repetitive scenes and word choices, the characterization is completely incomprehensible and the plot is one of the more ridiculous out there.
Donovan, the sexy, geeky Kelly brother, who had such amazing potential in the previous books, is barely recognizable in the borderline psychotic and obsessive hero of After the Storm. He takes one look at Eve and decides that she's "the one" and proceeds to take over her life whether she's interested or not. Granted Eve is in an awful predicament and in desperate need of help for herself and her traumatized siblings, but Van's controlling attitude is simply creepy.
Speaking of Eve, while emotionally scared and/or physically abused heroines are the norm for KGI, Banks has gone overboard with this one. Ostensibly a strong willed fighter, Eve is actually passive, compliant and detached. Even though she has ample opportunity to stand up for herself, her solution to every obstacle it to run. This is particularly apparent in the contrived conflict toward the end where instead of.
As to the suspense plot, it is virtually non-existent with a villain who barely puts in an appearance and a motive that doesn't make much sense.
As for the Kelly clan, why has the family turned into a simpering pile of goo? Yes, the men are besotted with their wives but is it really necessary to go on and on about it ad nauseam. The only bright spark in this otherwise travesty of a book were Rusty Sean. Of course, we are going to have to wait for their book because Swanny and Hancock come first although I might just skip them.
1 Star
Beware! Rant ahead!
OMG! What in the name of all that is holy was that?!
It is virtually impossible to associate this book with the rest of the KGI series. The writing is simply appalling with repetitive scenes and word choices, the characterization is completely incomprehensible and the plot is one of the more ridiculous out there.
Donovan, the sexy, geeky Kelly brother, who had such amazing potential in the previous books, is barely recognizable in the borderline psychotic and obsessive hero of After the Storm. He takes one look at Eve and decides that she's "the one" and proceeds to take over her life whether she's interested or not. Granted Eve is in an awful predicament and in desperate need of help for herself and her traumatized siblings, but Van's controlling attitude is simply creepy.
Speaking of Eve, while emotionally scared and/or physically abused heroines are the norm for KGI, Banks has gone overboard with this one. Ostensibly a strong willed fighter, Eve is actually passive, compliant and detached. Even though she has ample opportunity to stand up for herself, her solution to every obstacle it to run. This is particularly apparent in the contrived conflict toward the end where instead of
Spoiler
confronting Van, Eve chooses to leave her siblings alone with a man who apparently betrayed her and go on the run alone - TSTL much!As to the suspense plot, it is virtually non-existent with a villain who barely puts in an appearance and a motive that doesn't make much sense
Spoiler
If Walt were a pedophile he would have molested Eve as wellAs for the Kelly clan, why has the family turned into a simpering pile of goo? Yes, the men are besotted with their wives but is it really necessary to go on and on about it ad nauseam. The only bright spark in this otherwise travesty of a book were Rusty Sean. Of course, we are going to have to wait for their book because Swanny and Hancock come first although I might just skip them.
goaskalix's review
3.0
Oh man. I don't know what I think about this one...
I guess three stars because it's KGI and I love it by rote, but it was a bit of a disappointment I think - especially on the back of Steele *insert fangirl sigh*. Maybe if I'm being really generous, three and a half stars, strictly for the high pitched tea-kettle noise that came out of my mouth at the (FINALLY!) long-built up moment for Rusty and Sean.
This was just such a deviation from the Van character that I've embellished in my head for the past seven and a half books, that I didn't know how to take it, but I knew I didn't like it. He was... kind of a wimp. And I mean, falling in love at first sight? Okay, it works in some books... it didn't in this one. And Eve made me want to punch things, mainly her. All the time. Oh well.
I still love this series, don't get me wrong. And omfgyessssssssss I cannot wait for Swanny's book, but Van? He just ended up being meh for me, and that's really disappointing.
I guess three stars because it's KGI and I love it by rote, but it was a bit of a disappointment I think - especially on the back of Steele *insert fangirl sigh*. Maybe if I'm being really generous, three and a half stars, strictly for the high pitched tea-kettle noise that came out of my mouth at the (FINALLY!) long-built up moment for Rusty and Sean.
This was just such a deviation from the Van character that I've embellished in my head for the past seven and a half books, that I didn't know how to take it, but I knew I didn't like it. He was... kind of a wimp. And I mean, falling in love at first sight? Okay, it works in some books... it didn't in this one. And Eve made me want to punch things, mainly her. All the time. Oh well.
I still love this series, don't get me wrong. And omfgyessssssssss I cannot wait for Swanny's book, but Van? He just ended up being meh for me, and that's really disappointing.
smitch29's review
2.0
2.5
So since it is the 8th KGI novel, I knew exactly what to expect when I started reading. It's sort of hard not to this far in. However, despite knowing the overall layout of the plot, I was really intrigued at the start.
First, let me begin by saying this is Donovan's story. Well, his and Eve's. Eve is on the run from her step-father with her half-siblings, Travis and Cammie. They end up stopping in Donovan's hometown when Cammie falls ill and Travis finds a job at Frank Kelly's hardware store.
I liked that the story didn't begin with violence or a mission. It helped set this novel apart from the rest in the series.
However, a tornado eventually strikes and causes Eve and her family some harm just days after meeting Van. This prompts Van to move them in with him so he can take care them and protect them from whatever threat is hanging over their heads. This is where things started to go down hill for me.
All of the sudden, Van is declaring that they are now his family and they should stay so he can help them. Frankly, it comes across as controlling and way too soon. Out of no where Eve turns spineless and instead of being the woman who has led her siblings across the country, she is allowing some guy come in and control her actions. She is too willing to let him dictate how to handle pretty much everything. She puts up a weak fight in the beginning, if you can call it that and then never really fights again until the main conflict comes to a head and then she goes a bit crazy in her fight to control things. Only then, it comes across as her ignorance and lack of smarts, that drive her to make really stupid decisions that didn't seem on par with someone who has done a decent job of escaping her evil step-father thus far. Perhaps I had overestimated how much of that was skill.
Also, on more of a personal preference note, than a writing critique, I wasn't thrilled with how overly cheesy this story was. I think it makes sense that out of all the brothers, Donovan was going to be the most sentimental and just cheesy romantic, but I am not a fan of reading it so much. I ended up skimming way too many parts of the book so I could get to the heart of the story and skip the hearts and flowers.
So since it is the 8th KGI novel, I knew exactly what to expect when I started reading. It's sort of hard not to this far in. However, despite knowing the overall layout of the plot, I was really intrigued at the start.
First, let me begin by saying this is Donovan's story. Well, his and Eve's. Eve is on the run from her step-father with her half-siblings, Travis and Cammie. They end up stopping in Donovan's hometown when Cammie falls ill and Travis finds a job at Frank Kelly's hardware store.
I liked that the story didn't begin with violence or a mission. It helped set this novel apart from the rest in the series.
However, a tornado eventually strikes and causes Eve and her family some harm just days after meeting Van. This prompts Van to move them in with him so he can take care them and protect them from whatever threat is hanging over their heads. This is where things started to go down hill for me.
All of the sudden, Van is declaring that they are now his family and they should stay so he can help them. Frankly, it comes across as controlling and way too soon. Out of no where Eve turns spineless and instead of being the woman who has led her siblings across the country, she is allowing some guy come in and control her actions. She is too willing to let him dictate how to handle pretty much everything. She puts up a weak fight in the beginning, if you can call it that and then never really fights again until the main conflict comes to a head and then she goes a bit crazy in her fight to control things. Only then, it comes across as her ignorance and lack of smarts, that drive her to make really stupid decisions that didn't seem on par with someone who has done a decent job of escaping her evil step-father thus far. Perhaps I had overestimated how much of that was skill.
Also, on more of a personal preference note, than a writing critique, I wasn't thrilled with how overly cheesy this story was. I think it makes sense that out of all the brothers, Donovan was going to be the most sentimental and just cheesy romantic, but I am not a fan of reading it so much. I ended up skimming way too many parts of the book so I could get to the heart of the story and skip the hearts and flowers.
michellebridges's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
papercranestitches's review
2.0
*** 2.5 Star Rating ***
After waiting seven books for Van's story, I can't lie, I was very disappointed in Maya Bank's After the Storm (KGI #8).
I hated the instalove with the intensity of a thousand suns, thought the dialogue was truly cringe-worthy in places, found the constant POV changes at the beginning of the novel dizzying (not to mention misleading - for the entire first chapter this felt like Rusty & Sean's story!), didn't feel like the two MCs had any chemistry together, and found Eve surprisingly two-dimensional and uninteresting.
The action of the novel's climax and its resolution redeemed it some, and I did enjoy the family dynamics between Travis, Cammie, and Eve, but this was definitely a flawed book. Thankfully, I love the Kelly family and the rag-tag bunch of alpha males and females that make up Kelly Group International. I'm already looking forward to book 9 (Swanny's story), and sincerely hope that Maya Banks can use it to redeem the series.
We shall see, I guess -- When Day Breaks is due for release in June 2014.
After waiting seven books for Van's story, I can't lie, I was very disappointed in Maya Bank's After the Storm (KGI #8).
I hated the instalove with the intensity of a thousand suns, thought the dialogue was truly cringe-worthy in places, found the constant POV changes at the beginning of the novel dizzying (not to mention misleading - for the entire first chapter this felt like Rusty & Sean's story!), didn't feel like the two MCs had any chemistry together, and found Eve surprisingly two-dimensional and uninteresting.
The action of the novel's climax and its resolution redeemed it some, and I did enjoy the family dynamics between Travis, Cammie, and Eve, but this was definitely a flawed book. Thankfully, I love the Kelly family and the rag-tag bunch of alpha males and females that make up Kelly Group International. I'm already looking forward to book 9 (Swanny's story), and sincerely hope that Maya Banks can use it to redeem the series.
We shall see, I guess -- When Day Breaks is due for release in June 2014.