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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
So, I liked the premise of the book, and the take on Kit's bloodline, but enough with all the repetition already!
Also, for someone who had all her triggers pulled by Damon, Kit sure fell for him awfully fast.
Apart from that, it was fast-paced and a page-turner, and interested me enough that I bought the rest of the books in the series.
Also, for someone who had all her triggers pulled by Damon, Kit sure fell for him awfully fast.
Apart from that, it was fast-paced and a page-turner, and interested me enough that I bought the rest of the books in the series.
Review posted: Happily Ever After - Reads
Kit does it all, whatever it takes to get the bills paid, so when the local Alpha’s nephew goes missing she sends one of her people, Damon, to offer Kit the job of finding him. She knows better than to get mixed up with the pack and more importantly their crazy ass alpha, but the money is too good to pass up and the case hits Kit’s soft spot – kids. She takes one look at the Doyle’s picture and can’t say no. What she didn’t plan for was the added stipulation, find him or die and that Damon would be her shadow, 24/7.
We get flashbacks of Kit’s past through her memories, nightmares and the things she tells Damon. It’s not good. She’s half human, half aneira, a race described as a magical, Amazon race that’s dying out – they took on the jobs no one else could do, or would do. While she has some aneira power, invisibility, she can sense what non-humans are, vamps, shifters, etc. and she can call her sword to her, her half human part made it hell growing up with her Grandmother, their leader. Kit was abused from an early age until she ran away at 15. She has no close friends, a few acquaintances and no family to turn to. She’s trying to survive doing contract work that most people wouldn’t take on. The current case she’s starting, finding Doyle, has an added twist that the teenager is close to spiking – shifting for the first time. It’s a very dangerous time, emotions run high and Damon needs to be there to help him.
The unlikely duo of Kit and shifter Damon start following clues to track down not only Doyle but other missing non-human teens that come up during their investigation. These two start out hating each other, that’s putting it mildly on Kit’s side. Insults are tossed out constantly, name calling, they physically get into it early on until a different side of Damon starts coming out and many references to him being in “rut” are made. It doesn’t mean exactly what you’d expect; he wants Kit, just not only for sex but on all levels. If she accepts his bite, they’d belong to each other, always. Damon’s feelings don’t come out of the blue, there are a lot of hints along the way that his feelings aren’t exactly as hostile as Kit takes them to be. One aspect of this that I liked is that the rut “feeling” is completely on Damon’s side only. There is nothing compelling Kit to need to be with him other than her own feelings. That said, it felt like she did a fast one-eighty, going from calling him an asshole, to liking the sound of belonging to him and having someone belong to her. I forgive her fast turn-around for the simple fact that she’s never had anyone, not completely and there is no doubting that Damon, once she accepts him, is there to stay. I liked that for her. She’s tough, she’s a complete badass, but she needs someone on her side. True to the urban fantasy genre, their romance is just a small part of the overall story and it worked. Their chemistry was there and present but it never overshadowed the world and the main storyline that Kit was working. It also sets up an interesting situation for the next book, and I’m excited to see how Kit handles the new developments with Damon and the pack.
The main storyline finds Kit tracking human hunters that are using the teens in horrible ways. An unexpected/expected bad guy surfaces at the end even with an action packed fight, it doesn’t have a concrete ending. I call it unexpected/expected because this person is in and out of the story, a pain in Kit’s side and their motives are never really known until the end. You get the feeling that only badness surrounds the relationship Kit has with this person, and that proves to be true. Even though the storyline doesn’t come to a clear conclusion, it doesn’t really feel like a ‘to be continued’ ending either. There’s definitely more to come on many fronts and this story does a great job of setting things in motion for what’s to come.
I really enjoyed and found myself drawn into this new world that Kit Colbana is living in. She’s tough, gritty, not afraid to get her hands dirty and do whatever it takes to survive. She starts out so alone in the world and the case of tracking Doyle leads her to be surrounded by new friends and allies that she never thought she’d have. I loved her getting that, filling her life up with people, but still staying that same kick ass person she was at the beginning. Great start to a new series and I can’t wait to see what’s next for Kit.
Kit does it all, whatever it takes to get the bills paid, so when the local Alpha’s nephew goes missing she sends one of her people, Damon, to offer Kit the job of finding him. She knows better than to get mixed up with the pack and more importantly their crazy ass alpha, but the money is too good to pass up and the case hits Kit’s soft spot – kids. She takes one look at the Doyle’s picture and can’t say no. What she didn’t plan for was the added stipulation, find him or die and that Damon would be her shadow, 24/7.
We get flashbacks of Kit’s past through her memories, nightmares and the things she tells Damon. It’s not good. She’s half human, half aneira, a race described as a magical, Amazon race that’s dying out – they took on the jobs no one else could do, or would do. While she has some aneira power, invisibility, she can sense what non-humans are, vamps, shifters, etc. and she can call her sword to her, her half human part made it hell growing up with her Grandmother, their leader. Kit was abused from an early age until she ran away at 15. She has no close friends, a few acquaintances and no family to turn to. She’s trying to survive doing contract work that most people wouldn’t take on. The current case she’s starting, finding Doyle, has an added twist that the teenager is close to spiking – shifting for the first time. It’s a very dangerous time, emotions run high and Damon needs to be there to help him.
The unlikely duo of Kit and shifter Damon start following clues to track down not only Doyle but other missing non-human teens that come up during their investigation. These two start out hating each other, that’s putting it mildly on Kit’s side. Insults are tossed out constantly, name calling, they physically get into it early on until a different side of Damon starts coming out and many references to him being in “rut” are made. It doesn’t mean exactly what you’d expect; he wants Kit, just not only for sex but on all levels. If she accepts his bite, they’d belong to each other, always. Damon’s feelings don’t come out of the blue, there are a lot of hints along the way that his feelings aren’t exactly as hostile as Kit takes them to be. One aspect of this that I liked is that the rut “feeling” is completely on Damon’s side only. There is nothing compelling Kit to need to be with him other than her own feelings. That said, it felt like she did a fast one-eighty, going from calling him an asshole, to liking the sound of belonging to him and having someone belong to her. I forgive her fast turn-around for the simple fact that she’s never had anyone, not completely and there is no doubting that Damon, once she accepts him, is there to stay. I liked that for her. She’s tough, she’s a complete badass, but she needs someone on her side. True to the urban fantasy genre, their romance is just a small part of the overall story and it worked. Their chemistry was there and present but it never overshadowed the world and the main storyline that Kit was working. It also sets up an interesting situation for the next book, and I’m excited to see how Kit handles the new developments with Damon and the pack.
The main storyline finds Kit tracking human hunters that are using the teens in horrible ways. An unexpected/expected bad guy surfaces at the end even with an action packed fight, it doesn’t have a concrete ending. I call it unexpected/expected because this person is in and out of the story, a pain in Kit’s side and their motives are never really known until the end. You get the feeling that only badness surrounds the relationship Kit has with this person, and that proves to be true. Even though the storyline doesn’t come to a clear conclusion, it doesn’t really feel like a ‘to be continued’ ending either. There’s definitely more to come on many fronts and this story does a great job of setting things in motion for what’s to come.
I really enjoyed and found myself drawn into this new world that Kit Colbana is living in. She’s tough, gritty, not afraid to get her hands dirty and do whatever it takes to survive. She starts out so alone in the world and the case of tracking Doyle leads her to be surrounded by new friends and allies that she never thought she’d have. I loved her getting that, filling her life up with people, but still staying that same kick ass person she was at the beginning. Great start to a new series and I can’t wait to see what’s next for Kit.
Honestly I finished this over a week ago and while I enjoyed it it took me a little bit to remember what the story line was
This one started out a little slow for me, but eventually I was hooked and unable to put it down. In the beginning, I felt as if I were reading a book in the middle of a series. Only this is book #1 and I hadn't really missed anything. Kit's backstory is full of painful experiences that have turned her into a prickly, smart-mouthed business woman for hire. The job she takes on in this book involves a missing shifter, his crazy aunt, and the shape-shifting werecat that is appointed as Kit's partner, whether she wants him to be or not.
Although this book held no real surprises for me, it was still fun to read. The characters grew on me and the potential for more adventures is definitely there.
Although this book held no real surprises for me, it was still fun to read. The characters grew on me and the potential for more adventures is definitely there.
typical YA novel, nothing special, extreme fast and simple read
I wanted to like it. Great premise, interesting world, however, it was poorly executed.
First of all, just because you carry a sword and talk trash, it doesn't make you a bad-ass. I mostly found the main character to be annoying. Rather than make me sympathetic, her abuse laden back story seemed to be overly contrived.
Then, there was the lamest attempt at a love triangle ever. How could it be otherwise, with the total lack of relationship development between the main character and her primary love interest. They are literally (and I mean LITERALLY, not figuratively) at each others throats. Then suddenly
It also felt as if the author "borrowed" from other UF favorites. Did anyone else hear the voice of Bones every time Damon called her "Kitten?" Or how about the sword-wielding smack talker of rare magic heritage pairing up with a large cat shifter? It just smacked a bit much of Kate Daniels to me. And of course, the vamp/were triangle has been way overplayed.
It wasn't the worst book ever, but I definitely wish I had spent the time on something better.
First of all, just because you carry a sword and talk trash, it doesn't make you a bad-ass. I mostly found the main character to be annoying. Rather than make me sympathetic, her abuse laden back story seemed to be overly contrived.
Then, there was the lamest attempt at a love triangle ever. How could it be otherwise, with the total lack of relationship development between the main character and her primary love interest. They are literally (and I mean LITERALLY, not figuratively) at each others throats. Then suddenly
Spoiler
she is accepting his permanent bite making accepting his being "in rut." Really, did anyone else think that was the worst life mate terminology ever?It also felt as if the author "borrowed" from other UF favorites. Did anyone else hear the voice of Bones every time Damon called her "Kitten?" Or how about the sword-wielding smack talker of rare magic heritage pairing up with a large cat shifter? It just smacked a bit much of Kate Daniels to me. And of course, the vamp/were triangle has been way overplayed.
It wasn't the worst book ever, but I definitely wish I had spent the time on something better.
3.5/4 stars.
I have read a ton of UF--sometimes, I feel like I've read them all. They are all very similar in many ways, but Blade Song felt different. It snuck up on me. Damon definitely snuck up on me. I have a soft spot for "kitten" because of Bones & Cat, but I think "baby girl" is what did it. This book definitely bounced around a lot, but even in its unpolished state, I enjoyed it immensely. I like that although Kit is an assassin, she isn't shown as invincible. She has her very real demons, and they try to cut her down at every turn. But she finds a way to kick them back, and that's admirable. Damon may have come across as a major jerk at the beginning, but he redeemed himself with his "baby girl" & protectiveness. However, that kind of happened fast & unexpectedly. The storyline & characters are great, but this book definitely could have used more editing when it came to cohesiveness & general flow.
I have read a ton of UF--sometimes, I feel like I've read them all. They are all very similar in many ways, but Blade Song felt different. It snuck up on me. Damon definitely snuck up on me. I have a soft spot for "kitten" because of Bones & Cat, but I think "baby girl" is what did it. This book definitely bounced around a lot, but even in its unpolished state, I enjoyed it immensely. I like that although Kit is an assassin, she isn't shown as invincible. She has her very real demons, and they try to cut her down at every turn. But she finds a way to kick them back, and that's admirable. Damon may have come across as a major jerk at the beginning, but he redeemed himself with his "baby girl" & protectiveness. However, that kind of happened fast & unexpectedly. The storyline & characters are great, but this book definitely could have used more editing when it came to cohesiveness & general flow.
Oh dear.
Where do I begin? I was not impressed by this at all. I'm actually quite annoyed by it, because I feel like it took every Urban Fantasy trope and cliché and exaggerated them until it was a complete mockery of itself, more a spoof of my favourite genre than anything else.
Completely unauthentic and unoriginal. Yes, there's the blatantly obvious Kate Daniels rip-offs as others have mentioned, but that's not the only familiar thing I noticed by a long shot. I also saw some 'borrowed' elements from Kelly Armstrong in there, as well as various other things that were overly familiar. Not one single part of this book was anything new or creative or original. And the comparisons to Kate Daniels? Wow. This book isn't fit to lick Kate Daniels' boots. It would be a disservice to that series to say this is like Kate Daniels, when in actuality, it's just that Kate Daniels is where 90% of the ideas for this book were stolen from.
And, you know, to be honest I wouldn't have even cared that much about the similarities if it was a good copy. I read a book earlier in the year that was almost a carbon copy of Kresley Cole's Immortals After Dark series, and I marked it down a star for the obvious rip-off, but at least that was well-written and of equal quality to the original!
This piece of Writing by Numbers was just a mockery of a sham of a farce of a.....folly! Yes, I said folly!
I hated the writing style. Especially coming off the back of reading a really beautiful book with lush prose and magic on every page. This was flat, plain, mechanical, simplistic, repetitive... I know I'm not supposed to quote directly from an ARC, and if this section has been edited since I saw it, I doubly apologise, but just look at this as an example of what I'm getting so worked up about:
I mean....what a lot of words to say absolutely nothing at all. Twice.
The paragraphing and punctuation was also bizarre and only served to make the narrative seem jerky and choppy. The dialogue made me want to hang my head in shame on the author's behalf. And the pet names at the end of everything the hero said? Gah! 'Little fool,' 'baby girl' (excuse me, I just vomited), 'little girl,' 'kitten,' 'little warrior.' Every one was more gag-inducing than the one before. And so patronising! But what else did I expect from this cardboard cut-out, bad boy wannabe "hero" and the author's attempt to portray a hate-to-love relationship.
Fail. Big, mahoosive, epic FAIL!
The attempt at writing bickering and banter between the two leads—something prevalent in a lot of UF series—was laughable, yet also cringe-worthy at the same time. Quite a feat, really.
As well as the hero being a patronising, abusive a-hole for most of the book, the heroine was completely unlikeable. She was meant to come across as brave, or maybe 'too stubborn for her own good', in several of the scenes. But to me, just came off looking like an arrogant, boastful idiot. She was all talk, no balls. She was also extremely selfish and even her "tortured past" did nothing to endear her to me.
I say leave her in the damn pit. Best place for her.
It's been a while since I've encountered a main character I couldn't find one single thing to admire about. I don't write many reviews such as these, full of such unadulterated negativity, so you can see just how much it's ticked me off. UF is my thing, and when someone comes along and puts no effort in and thinks this is acceptable and all that's required to get by, I get a bit cross.
To sum up, it was terrible. An insult to Urban Fantasy, and I would rather cut out my own tongue than say it is even in the same league as Kate Daniels.
1 Star ★
ARC provided for an honest review.
Where do I begin? I was not impressed by this at all. I'm actually quite annoyed by it, because I feel like it took every Urban Fantasy trope and cliché and exaggerated them until it was a complete mockery of itself, more a spoof of my favourite genre than anything else.
Completely unauthentic and unoriginal. Yes, there's the blatantly obvious Kate Daniels rip-offs as others have mentioned, but that's not the only familiar thing I noticed by a long shot. I also saw some 'borrowed' elements from Kelly Armstrong in there, as well as various other things that were overly familiar. Not one single part of this book was anything new or creative or original. And the comparisons to Kate Daniels? Wow. This book isn't fit to lick Kate Daniels' boots. It would be a disservice to that series to say this is like Kate Daniels, when in actuality, it's just that Kate Daniels is where 90% of the ideas for this book were stolen from.
And, you know, to be honest I wouldn't have even cared that much about the similarities if it was a good copy. I read a book earlier in the year that was almost a carbon copy of Kresley Cole's Immortals After Dark series, and I marked it down a star for the obvious rip-off, but at least that was well-written and of equal quality to the original!
This piece of Writing by Numbers was just a mockery of a sham of a farce of a.....folly! Yes, I said folly!
I hated the writing style. Especially coming off the back of reading a really beautiful book with lush prose and magic on every page. This was flat, plain, mechanical, simplistic, repetitive... I know I'm not supposed to quote directly from an ARC, and if this section has been edited since I saw it, I doubly apologise, but just look at this as an example of what I'm getting so worked up about:
"There was enough silver in the blade, enough magic in it that it would hurt him. He knew it...and he knew I was fully aware of that as well. But he didn't look worried. Of course, hurt was a far cry from kill. I was pretty sure I couldn't kill him. I was equally sure he knew that. I was equally sure he could kill me, and he was probably aware of that same fact. Damn it."
I mean....what a lot of words to say absolutely nothing at all. Twice.
The paragraphing and punctuation was also bizarre and only served to make the narrative seem jerky and choppy. The dialogue made me want to hang my head in shame on the author's behalf. And the pet names at the end of everything the hero said? Gah! 'Little fool,' 'baby girl' (excuse me, I just vomited), 'little girl,' 'kitten,' 'little warrior.' Every one was more gag-inducing than the one before. And so patronising! But what else did I expect from this cardboard cut-out, bad boy wannabe "hero" and the author's attempt to portray a hate-to-love relationship.
Fail. Big, mahoosive, epic FAIL!
The attempt at writing bickering and banter between the two leads—something prevalent in a lot of UF series—was laughable, yet also cringe-worthy at the same time. Quite a feat, really.
As well as the hero being a patronising, abusive a-hole for most of the book, the heroine was completely unlikeable. She was meant to come across as brave, or maybe 'too stubborn for her own good', in several of the scenes. But to me, just came off looking like an arrogant, boastful idiot. She was all talk, no balls. She was also extremely selfish and even her "tortured past" did nothing to endear her to me.
I say leave her in the damn pit. Best place for her.
It's been a while since I've encountered a main character I couldn't find one single thing to admire about. I don't write many reviews such as these, full of such unadulterated negativity, so you can see just how much it's ticked me off. UF is my thing, and when someone comes along and puts no effort in and thinks this is acceptable and all that's required to get by, I get a bit cross.
To sum up, it was terrible. An insult to Urban Fantasy, and I would rather cut out my own tongue than say it is even in the same league as Kate Daniels.
1 Star ★
ARC provided for an honest review.
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Reminded me of Kate Daniels. Smart ass girl who need to get laid and fights with a sword meets a hot tempered shifter who turns into a type of cat. Hmmm very similar.
Not that I am complaining luckily this book was just what is have been craving.
Not that I am complaining luckily this book was just what is have been craving.