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hebberelle's review against another edition
3.0
This book made me.. uncomfortable. I felt like it was such a deviation from the first book in the series.. much more pain and torture.. it was just hard to read at points.
eevie_reads's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this book a lot more than the first one. The plot was way more up my alley, and it had a better start. The insta-love romance was also more believable because of the mind link, so I had to suspend my disbelief less, although I still raised my eyebrow a few times. This book is not without its problems, but to be fair I did expect this series to be somewhat dated, especially in the earlier books. Still, it was far more enjoyable than the first book.
rosetyper9's review against another edition
4.0
I think this author has balls of steel. She broaches subjects, areas, and different um...plot points you might not normally find in a romance novel and she makes them fit. She somehow makes torture and mind control perfectly normal in this book. The characters in this story are what really makes it unique. I wanted to get to know Artur more after the first book, Tiger Eye, but Ms. Liu teases us by only giving us a little bit. I was so happy his book was next. I instantly adored Elena, she is strong, smart, and does what needs to be done when she needs to. I love characters who know themselves.
Now, plot, half of this book is positioned in a human (or not so human) experimentation facility and both the characters are physically and mentally abused in this place. I was in shock and awe when I was reading...kept saying..."Are they really...no...holy cow...they did." then I would wiggle around in my seat some and dive back in the story. Ms. Liu takes her story seriously and has no qualms about running her people through the ringer, and then a cheese grater.
I adore this series so far and I can't wait to dig deeper and learn more about the other people who work for Dirk and Steele. I want to know more about Riktor and I need to know more about Koni...those are the guys on my radar now that Artur is happily settled.
Now, plot, half of this book is positioned in a human (or not so human) experimentation facility and both the characters are physically and mentally abused in this place. I was in shock and awe when I was reading...kept saying..."Are they really...no...holy cow...they did." then I would wiggle around in my seat some and dive back in the story. Ms. Liu takes her story seriously and has no qualms about running her people through the ringer, and then a cheese grater.
I adore this series so far and I can't wait to dig deeper and learn more about the other people who work for Dirk and Steele. I want to know more about Riktor and I need to know more about Koni...those are the guys on my radar now that Artur is happily settled.
siria's review against another edition
3.0
This is probably a better place to start the series than [b:Tiger Eye|143555|Tiger Eyes|Judy Blume|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172156032s/143555.jpg|2707584]. There's the beginning of a plot arc here which makes the first book feel more like a prologue, and Liu does a better job of integrating the hero/heroine with the broader universe she's establishing. A fun read, and also one with, like, 100% less tiger penis fellatio (see [b:Tiger Eye|143555|Tiger Eyes|Judy Blume|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172156032s/143555.jpg|2707584]. Or not.) That's always a bonus.
rclz's review against another edition
5.0
pretty much read this in one day. Good book, well done. Great plot and interesting characters.
teasilly's review against another edition
3.0
This one was better than the other ones I've read in this series, though I feel like the plot really drives these pairings -- these relationships. Like two people are thrust into impossible circumstances and they fall in love in the midst of it, and meh. It's getting formulaic. Well it was formulaic from the beginning but idek lolol. I STAYED FOR ARTUR.
amyiw's review against another edition
5.0
Still a favorite on reread.
Artur and Elena have great chemistry, for both working together and as a couple. The UF plot that is going on in the background and is pushed further with the ending and really leave a lot to work with for more books. I know that the next goes more into the dragons from the first book but it is really disjointed and I ended up disliking it, which is quite amazing when looking at how much I enjoyed this one. Went from 5 star to 1 star, so after rereading the first, this one, and A Dream of Stone and Shadow, I'm going to read the 5th to see if the all over the place disjoint is remedied. I think the comments show that it does improve.
So loved this story. Love the support characters and really want to read on. Will skip rereading the next and go on to the 5th as I read the 4th which is actually a novella. 3rd read Nov 2021
Artur and Elena have great chemistry, for both working together and as a couple. The UF plot that is going on in the background and is pushed further with the ending and
Spoiler
confrontation with the Dirk of Dirk and SteeleSo loved this story. Love the support characters and really want to read on. Will skip rereading the next and go on to the 5th as I read the 4th which is actually a novella. 3rd read Nov 2021
reginaexmachina's review against another edition
4.0
College has swallowed up most of my free time lately, hence the incredibly short reviews. But I've at least tried to jot down my thoughts.
With this book I was just as impressed with it as the first in the series. I was a little worried since I've read lots of series with a promising first book and a disappointing second. The major setting for this book was in Russia which I found interesting. I really liked that both the books I've read by this author have really vivid settings. The love story was really good and the side characters were just as entertaining. I'm normally not the biggest fan of pnr, but this series so far is probably one of best of that genre I've read.
With this book I was just as impressed with it as the first in the series. I was a little worried since I've read lots of series with a promising first book and a disappointing second. The major setting for this book was in Russia which I found interesting. I really liked that both the books I've read by this author have really vivid settings. The love story was really good and the side characters were just as entertaining. I'm normally not the biggest fan of pnr, but this series so far is probably one of best of that genre I've read.
hellegade's review against another edition
5.0
This book is about Arthur from the detective agency Dirk & Steel. As if kidnapped and experimented on isn't enough, Arthur encounters another prisoner which intrigues him. She's got a healing touch and he'll do anything to save them both.
I highly recommend this book and series. You won't be disappointed.
I highly recommend this book and series. You won't be disappointed.
homosexual's review against another edition
4.0
My Booktube
listen the conflict for this was resolved super fast and that is an issue since there was a LOT of intense build up towards it. But some of the reveals for the overall plot conflict... whew I actually gasped. So it balances out. Definitely feels like overall this book leans more on a thriller-esque vibe instead of a more romance heavy, but I didn't mind that as much.
also while the couple is kinda forced together, I can see them as a couple since their powers kinda work in tandem. I feel like the one sex scene in this wasn't as well written as the one in Tiger Eye, but it was via audiobook so who knows.
ngl I'm just excited for the hope that Richter gets his own HEA because I need his backstory.
listen the conflict for this was resolved super fast and that is an issue since there was a LOT of intense build up towards it. But some of the reveals for the overall plot conflict... whew I actually gasped. So it balances out. Definitely feels like overall this book leans more on a thriller-esque vibe instead of a more romance heavy, but I didn't mind that as much.
also while the couple is kinda forced together, I can see them as a couple since their powers kinda work in tandem. I feel like the one sex scene in this wasn't as well written as the one in Tiger Eye, but it was via audiobook so who knows.
ngl I'm just excited for the hope that Richter gets his own HEA because I need his backstory.