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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
I wanted to reserve judgment for this book - I will be honest, I did not think I would like it. I really enjoyed The Edge with Rose and Declan and really did not know where the next story would take us. Well, as Illona and Gordon have done it many times over, they have created another amazing read. A story full of fantastic world building and deep characters - you want to win at all costs.
Cerise is an amazingly strong female lead who will do anything for her family. Immediately she is faced with loss after loss, hit after hit yet she remained strong and stayed her course. With a strong wit (not as strong as Kate, but good and funny in a different way). William tries so hard to be a decent man in this book, yet he retains his strength and he is appreciated for who he is for the first time in his life. He has gone without for his entire life (aside from his friendship with Declan) and knowing William, you would have expected more push back and possibly running. He knew what he wanted and went after it with a logical head and understanding of those around him.
I cannot wait to read more about Kaldar! I love that Rose and Cerise are going to be good friends - what a formidable team they will make.
Cerise is an amazingly strong female lead who will do anything for her family. Immediately she is faced with loss after loss, hit after hit yet she remained strong and stayed her course. With a strong wit (not as strong as Kate, but good and funny in a different way). William tries so hard to be a decent man in this book, yet he retains his strength and he is appreciated for who he is for the first time in his life. He has gone without for his entire life (aside from his friendship with Declan) and knowing William, you would have expected more push back and possibly running. He knew what he wanted and went after it with a logical head and understanding of those around him.
I cannot wait to read more about Kaldar! I love that Rose and Cerise are going to be good friends - what a formidable team they will make.
I got into this book a lot faster than the first one. I started to understand The Edge and already loved William. It also helped that William was talking to action figures of Superheroes at the beginning. I loved William already and really wanted to see him happy. Cherise's family is large and crazy which adds a lot to this book.
An old enemy of William's resurfaces and as the only person known to have fought The Spider and survive, he is enlisted to try and kill him again. When William realizes that he is coming for Cherise he knows he needs to stay close to her to use her as bait.
When Cherise's parents are kidnapped and an old feud is reunited it is up to her to keep her large family safe. To do this she will have to rely on a mysterious "BlueBlood" for help. With secrets popping out at every corner, how will she trust anyone enough to do what it takes to safe her family and maybe her heart?
This was such a good book and I loved seeing so much of William. I am actually looking forward to the next book.
An old enemy of William's resurfaces and as the only person known to have fought The Spider and survive, he is enlisted to try and kill him again. When William realizes that he is coming for Cherise he knows he needs to stay close to her to use her as bait.
When Cherise's parents are kidnapped and an old feud is reunited it is up to her to keep her large family safe. To do this she will have to rely on a mysterious "BlueBlood" for help. With secrets popping out at every corner, how will she trust anyone enough to do what it takes to safe her family and maybe her heart?
This was such a good book and I loved seeing so much of William. I am actually looking forward to the next book.
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’m on the fence about this one. I enjoyed reading Bayou Moon and I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series and yet… The things that I didn’t like are gnawing at me. The book was open-ended for one. There was a time when books within a series had satisfying endings. Sure, not all questions were answered, but there was a degree of finality about a book that, if nothing else, made you feel content until the next book in the series came along. Now more and more books within a series have huge cliff hangers and open endings that frustrate readers like me to no end. It begs the question, why read a book when you can just wait until the whole series has been published? That way you don’t have to torture yourself wondering what is going to happen next. The ending in Bayou Moon was far from being awful or torturous, but it was still unsatisfying. The major issue was resolved, but the seed of the problem still remained.
The tone of Bayou Moon was rather violent and depressing at times. This isn’t to say that it didn’t have its lighter, funnier moments, but for the most part it was a downer. The story follows William, a changeling from the Weird (a land full of magic) and Cerise, a young warrior from the edge (the border between the Weird and the Broken, aka our world). Both characters join forces when they cross paths on their journey to Sicktree and discover that they have a common goal. William is intent on finding and killing Spider, the leader of a group of assassins called the Hand. Cerise is searching for her parents, who were abducted by the Hand for being in possession of an object of great value. Many battles are fought during their travels and I must say that the violence in this tale was a bit more graphic then I’m used to. Every time some character lost a body part or died in some gruesome fashion, I paused, gave the customary “eeeewww,” and then read on.
One thing that I think is important to mention is that there are A LOT of characters in this book and at one point I couldn’t keep them all straight. The main character, Cerise comes from a very large family and keeping track of all her cousins, aunts, uncles—even her siblings were a challenge to remember. When a character died, I would be at a loss as to who it was and what relation they were to Cerise. However, towards the end I was starting to get a handle on who was who. When the final battle came to a close, I was desperate to find out who made it out alive, but all I was told was that 15 adults survived. Ok… Well… Which 15?! I became attached to a lot of these characters and I wanted to know who made it and who didn’t!
I wanted to love this book, because I love anything written by Ilona Andrews, but despite the steamy sexual tension between the two main protagonists and the imaginative world building, this story was slow paced and bogged down by too many first-person narratives and scenes that didn’t push the plot forward. It’s a shame really, because the first book in the series, On the Edge, was really very good. If you’re a fan of Ilona Andrew’s Kate Daniel’s series, I really urge giving this series a try.
The tone of Bayou Moon was rather violent and depressing at times. This isn’t to say that it didn’t have its lighter, funnier moments, but for the most part it was a downer. The story follows William, a changeling from the Weird (a land full of magic) and Cerise, a young warrior from the edge (the border between the Weird and the Broken, aka our world). Both characters join forces when they cross paths on their journey to Sicktree and discover that they have a common goal. William is intent on finding and killing Spider, the leader of a group of assassins called the Hand. Cerise is searching for her parents, who were abducted by the Hand for being in possession of an object of great value. Many battles are fought during their travels and I must say that the violence in this tale was a bit more graphic then I’m used to. Every time some character lost a body part or died in some gruesome fashion, I paused, gave the customary “eeeewww,” and then read on.
One thing that I think is important to mention is that there are A LOT of characters in this book and at one point I couldn’t keep them all straight. The main character, Cerise comes from a very large family and keeping track of all her cousins, aunts, uncles—even her siblings were a challenge to remember. When a character died, I would be at a loss as to who it was and what relation they were to Cerise. However, towards the end I was starting to get a handle on who was who. When the final battle came to a close, I was desperate to find out who made it out alive, but all I was told was that 15 adults survived. Ok… Well… Which 15?! I became attached to a lot of these characters and I wanted to know who made it and who didn’t!
I wanted to love this book, because I love anything written by Ilona Andrews, but despite the steamy sexual tension between the two main protagonists and the imaginative world building, this story was slow paced and bogged down by too many first-person narratives and scenes that didn’t push the plot forward. It’s a shame really, because the first book in the series, On the Edge, was really very good. If you’re a fan of Ilona Andrew’s Kate Daniel’s series, I really urge giving this series a try.
I have to admit I really, really enjoyed this book. I don't actually remember much about the first one in the series. I liked it enough to look for the second book. But I liked this one more. It's not about the same characters as the first book, but takes a minor character and makes him the center. This is a very good choice, because I think the other characters were slightly boring. But William the Wolf, ex-military changeling on a quest for vengeance and Cerise the badass swordfighter are a great pair. The book is set in the bayou separating the normal world from the magical "Weird." The people of the bayou are outcasts, scraping by living off the land, getting into feuds with other families. It's a great way to do a non-urban urban fantasy. Petty much everything about this book worked for me. The setting, the characters, the plot, the romance. Yup.
I was honestly worried before reading this book. You know those romance series that each book is about a character that we met somewhere in the first/previous book? I'm not a fan.
But well, I didn't need to. It's Ilona Andrews and she has yet to disappoint me. I really enjoyed this book, maybe not as much as [b:On the Edge|6329547|On the Edge (The Edge, #1)|Ilona Andrews|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1307445575l/6329547._SY75_.jpg|6515186] but still a lot. I'm interested in reading Kaldar's story. He sounds fun and cool. He's my favorite of Cerise's family.
I'm not big on romance. Especially pnr. Thankfully, Bayou Moon didn't focus only on the romance between William (I loved him since we met him in the first book) and Cerise (wish she had a different name, I hate those that have an obvious meaning in another/same language). Her family is awesome, kinda reminds me of mine because we are a big crazy family that always sticks together. I was also very happy when we saw Jack and George! I adore these too! I'm honestly trying to finish this series asap to read [b:Clean Sweep|19090384|Clean Sweep (Innkeeper Chronicles, #1)|Ilona Andrews|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1385939257l/19090384._SY75_.jpg|21910727] but would've continued it nonetheless.
Some might think this book was longer than necessary, I kinda agree but I didn't mind. Well, if I knew it's around 450 pages previously, I wouldn't have started reading it since I have to study at the moment. Sadly, I didn't and here I am read it in 2 days while holding my political science book in my other hand. I had fun reading this book and hope the next would be as good. I don't think any will match On the Edge but it's okay, as long as it's enjoyable and quick to read.
If you liked On the Edge, you definitely should read this book. If you haven't read any of [a:Ilona Andrews|21748|Ilona Andrews|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1588103544p2/21748.jpg]'s books then WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!!!!!!!!! Her books were the best discovery of 2017 for me! I've waited too long to read her books but better late than never. So yeah, go read one of her novels, [b:Kate Daniels|38619|Magic Bites (Kate Daniels, #1)|Ilona Andrews|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1331612872l/38619._SY75_.jpg|38381] preferably because you are missing out A LOT.
But well, I didn't need to. It's Ilona Andrews and she has yet to disappoint me. I really enjoyed this book, maybe not as much as [b:On the Edge|6329547|On the Edge (The Edge, #1)|Ilona Andrews|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1307445575l/6329547._SY75_.jpg|6515186] but still a lot. I'm interested in reading Kaldar's story. He sounds fun and cool. He's my favorite of Cerise's family.
I'm not big on romance. Especially pnr. Thankfully, Bayou Moon didn't focus only on the romance between William (I loved him since we met him in the first book) and Cerise (wish she had a different name, I hate those that have an obvious meaning in another/same language). Her family is awesome, kinda reminds me of mine because we are a big crazy family that always sticks together. I was also very happy when we saw Jack and George! I adore these too! I'm honestly trying to finish this series asap to read [b:Clean Sweep|19090384|Clean Sweep (Innkeeper Chronicles, #1)|Ilona Andrews|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1385939257l/19090384._SY75_.jpg|21910727] but would've continued it nonetheless.
Some might think this book was longer than necessary, I kinda agree but I didn't mind. Well, if I knew it's around 450 pages previously, I wouldn't have started reading it since I have to study at the moment. Sadly, I didn't and here I am read it in 2 days while holding my political science book in my other hand. I had fun reading this book and hope the next would be as good. I don't think any will match On the Edge but it's okay, as long as it's enjoyable and quick to read.
If you liked On the Edge, you definitely should read this book. If you haven't read any of [a:Ilona Andrews|21748|Ilona Andrews|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1588103544p2/21748.jpg]'s books then WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!!!!!!!!! Her books were the best discovery of 2017 for me! I've waited too long to read her books but better late than never. So yeah, go read one of her novels, [b:Kate Daniels|38619|Magic Bites (Kate Daniels, #1)|Ilona Andrews|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1331612872l/38619._SY75_.jpg|38381] preferably because you are missing out A LOT.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, Sexual content, Slavery, Kidnapping, Death of parent
Every time I start reading an Ilona Andrews novel it's the same: after reading a little while I get sucked into the story and just have to know what happens next, which usually means that nothing else - especially sleeping - gets done until I finish that book. And the books just keep getting better, no matter if the Kate Daniels series or this one.
Still, there are two things in this book that could have been done better. Most of the characters are too flat. We already met William in the first book and found out some of his background then, which makes him the most fleshed out character in Bayou Moon. Cerise is almost too perfect: beautiful, intelligent, excellent fighter, accepting of the fact that William is a changeling... At the beginning there's enough snark between them to cover the fact that Cerise is actually a pretty boring character.
Of the whole Mar clan I like Kaldar best - not because I like him, but because he's the only one we see more than one side of.
The second one is the ending, which was just a bit too anti-climatic for my tastes. Everything seemed to grind to a halt in no time at all, and oh, have a solution to your biggest problem too, you're welcome. Just... what happened? I feel like someone removed some pages at the end of this book somewhere.
Despite that, this is another thoroughly entertaining novel from the land on the edge between magic and science.
Still, there are two things in this book that could have been done better. Most of the characters are too flat. We already met William in the first book and found out some of his background then, which makes him the most fleshed out character in Bayou Moon. Cerise is almost too perfect
Of the whole Mar clan I like Kaldar best - not because I like him, but because he's the only one we see more than one side of.
The second one is the ending, which was just a bit too anti-climatic for my tastes. Everything seemed to grind to a halt in no time at all, and oh, have a solution to your biggest problem too, you're welcome. Just... what happened? I feel like someone removed some pages at the end of this book somewhere.
Despite that, this is another thoroughly entertaining novel from the land on the edge between magic and science.
I liked this book, if possible, more than the first. William is such a real character to me, more so than Declan because Declan was so perfect. William has flaws; he has a hard time to be human at times. Even reading the first first book, I wanted him to find someone.
Cerise and her family are also very compelling because they represent a sort of clan mentality that isn't as prominent in today's society. Their sneaky ways (smile and feed you before stabbing you in the back) also appeal to me, all in the name of family.
The only possible problem I could find with this book was all the names to remember, but I actually made a chart so I would remember all of Cerise's family.
Cerise and her family are also very compelling because they represent a sort of clan mentality that isn't as prominent in today's society. Their sneaky ways (smile and feed you before stabbing you in the back) also appeal to me, all in the name of family.
Spoiler
They are the perfect fit for William as far as a ready-made family/clan goes.The only possible problem I could find with this book was all the names to remember, but I actually made a chart so I would remember all of Cerise's family.