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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
I'm really good at keeping track of what I've read but somehow I missed this. I know I read it a year ago.
SFR Reading Challenge 2012: 3/15
SOA Listening Challenge 2012: Paranormal/SFR 3/4
Grade B-/C+
Narration by Joyce Bean 3.5* Grade B
A Krentz/Castle/Quick is generally an enjoyable read for me. After Dark is no exception, although it isn't nearly her best sci-fi/futuristic romance. There was decent world-building and the suspense plot was entertaining, but the character development was weak. Every time I thought I could like Lydia, she acted like a self-righteous prig again. Her pettiness toward Emmett got old, and didn't resolve to my satisfaction since the ending was abrupt. I'm interested enough to try the next in the series, however.
The narration was solid and the narrator did a decent job with the male voices.
SOA Listening Challenge 2012: Paranormal/SFR 3/4
Grade B-/C+
Narration by Joyce Bean 3.5* Grade B
A Krentz/Castle/Quick is generally an enjoyable read for me. After Dark is no exception, although it isn't nearly her best sci-fi/futuristic romance. There was decent world-building and the suspense plot was entertaining, but the character development was weak. Every time I thought I could like Lydia, she acted like a self-righteous prig again. Her pettiness toward Emmett got old, and didn't resolve to my satisfaction since the ending was abrupt. I'm interested enough to try the next in the series, however.
The narration was solid and the narrator did a decent job with the male voices.
It is nice to see another romantic science fiction series. Set on another world where humans have been stranded and have developed powers due to the planet. we have your strong silent type and your strong but a little emotional who clash and then come together. This series in particular is a good read as all the men are sure of their feelings and commit right from the start and it is the women that need convincing.
this book is the first but it should be read with the second book as well, the rest are all stand alones with cameos. these are all set in the same universe as Amanda Quick's books
this book is the first but it should be read with the second book as well, the rest are all stand alones with cameos. these are all set in the same universe as Amanda Quick's books
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Basic info: if you're interested in a plucky girl detective with an animal sidekick who's got something hot and heavy going on with the guy who hired her - set on an alien planet that's almost exactly like earth except not really - then this is the book for you. If, additionally, you have read [a:Jayne Ann Krentz|2387|Jayne Ann Krentz|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1446933865p2/2387.jpg] and like her stuff, then check this one out.
If not, go in with the following caveats: while there is a love story, there's no HEA; the mystery is Scooby Doo level goofy; and the language is definitely early aughts, if not weirder (we're talking "goshdarn SOB" here). Meg loved it, Laine did not, read at your own risk. And remember that it's the first in a duology so you DO get an HEA if you continue with the next in the series, [b:After Glow|29623|After Glow (Ghost Hunters, #2)|Jayne Castle|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1358495717l/29623._SY75_.jpg|30059].
16-Word Summaries:
Meg: Harmony: Adding up alien archaeology, psychic powers, a sexy couple, and cute animal sidekicks since 2000.
Laine: A secret archeological find makes targets of both Lydia and Emmett. It's politically and emotionally complicated.
If not, go in with the following caveats: while there is a love story, there's no HEA; the mystery is Scooby Doo level goofy; and the language is definitely early aughts, if not weirder (we're talking "goshdarn SOB" here). Meg loved it, Laine did not, read at your own risk. And remember that it's the first in a duology so you DO get an HEA if you continue with the next in the series, [b:After Glow|29623|After Glow (Ghost Hunters, #2)|Jayne Castle|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1358495717l/29623._SY75_.jpg|30059].
16-Word Summaries:
Meg: Harmony: Adding up alien archaeology, psychic powers, a sexy couple, and cute animal sidekicks since 2000.
Laine: A secret archeological find makes targets of both Lydia and Emmett. It's politically and emotionally complicated.
It was different. this is the first Jayne Castle/Jayne Ann Krentz book I have ever read and the imagination it took to write this is astounding. it was a little confusing but when I stopped trying to understand it and just read for the pleasure of it, it went alot smoother.
Although I do like the story, an antiquities theft-murder mystery, the paranormal part of the story is tossed in a little too casually. Terms like para-archaeology, rez-shrinks, para-rez, and a few others are sprinkled within the narrative before they were explained, and the explanations, when they did come, were not detailed enough to eliminate any confusion. Readers are a few dozen pages or a chapter or two into the novel before learning the series takes place on an off-world colony that has been cut off from all Earth contact.
It seems to me that the fantasy/sci-fi part of this story should have been introduced and explained earlier in the story, and with more detail, so that the setting is more thoroughly established. I'm guessing that Jayne Castle wanted the romance and mystery to be the predominating story, not the fantasy aspects, but you cannot sprinkle in references to your specific "world" without explaining them.
Unfortunately, After Dark reminds me of an old rule I established years ago: don't bother reading fantasy written by non-fantasy writers. The "worlds" creating by non-fantasy writers do not have the same level of detail, thought, and organization as the "worlds" created by people who specialize in writing science fiction or fantasy.
I'll keep an eye out for more in the Harmony series, and am I still looking for books in the Arcane Society series in used book stores, but they aren't high in my "want" list. I hope with practice, Jayne improves her fantasy writing skills because I do like her contemporary and historical novels.
It seems to me that the fantasy/sci-fi part of this story should have been introduced and explained earlier in the story, and with more detail, so that the setting is more thoroughly established. I'm guessing that Jayne Castle wanted the romance and mystery to be the predominating story, not the fantasy aspects, but you cannot sprinkle in references to your specific "world" without explaining them.
Unfortunately, After Dark reminds me of an old rule I established years ago: don't bother reading fantasy written by non-fantasy writers. The "worlds" creating by non-fantasy writers do not have the same level of detail, thought, and organization as the "worlds" created by people who specialize in writing science fiction or fantasy.
I'll keep an eye out for more in the Harmony series, and am I still looking for books in the Arcane Society series in used book stores, but they aren't high in my "want" list. I hope with practice, Jayne improves her fantasy writing skills because I do like her contemporary and historical novels.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Lydia Smith, a licensed Para-archeologist, has had her whole world tumble upside down in the last six months, now she finds one of her few friends left dead. To make matters worse her new client Emmett London, wants to fire her to keep her out of danger.
I was slightly confused with this book, it is more of a futuristic tale rather than what I thought initially. Interesting concept for a story, but I had a hard time visualizing the setting. Not sure if I was more familiar with Jayne Castle's previous work if it would make more sense or not.
I was slightly confused with this book, it is more of a futuristic tale rather than what I thought initially. Interesting concept for a story, but I had a hard time visualizing the setting. Not sure if I was more familiar with Jayne Castle's previous work if it would make more sense or not.