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lunaunseelie's review
Warning for Human having sex with shapeshifter in animal (tiger) form, including (from from what I remember) sucking tiger dick
dananner's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence and Sexual content
Minor: Sexual assault
melodicfate's review against another edition
4.0
This was an interesting story. I really liked how it started off set in China. The heroine, Dela, was an extremely good person. I loved how honorable she was, and just found her really likable. As for Hari, the hero, I felt so bad for him! A slave for 2000 years, cursed by a Magi to have to do what he was told. I just...wow. I liked Hari a lot, though. He was smart and really great to Dela. I thought their romance was a little quick, but I kind of understood it because Dela learned a lot about him from touching his weapons, due to her mental abilities with steel. Another aspect of this book I found enjoyable was the fact that Dela had quite a few friends, and I'm interested to see them all get their stories.
There was a lot of action in this story due to the Magi hunting Hari, and then a knife Dela had made in her work as a blacksmith was used to kill a mafia family's daughter. So they were hunting them as well. All the while, Hari and Dela were trying to break Hari's curse. Sometimes I got a bit confused, and things got a little weird around chapter 15, but it was still a good book.
I would recommend this for any paranormal romance fan who likes shifters. The characters were great, and I really liked how the abilities in this story were mostly mental. It seems like a pretty unique series, so I'll be looking into book 2 soon.
There was a lot of action in this story due to the Magi hunting Hari, and then a knife Dela had made in her work as a blacksmith was used to kill a mafia family's daughter. So they were hunting them as well. All the while, Hari and Dela were trying to break Hari's curse. Sometimes I got a bit confused, and things got a little weird around chapter 15, but it was still a good book.
I would recommend this for any paranormal romance fan who likes shifters. The characters were great, and I really liked how the abilities in this story were mostly mental. It seems like a pretty unique series, so I'll be looking into book 2 soon.
marget_orange's review against another edition
5.0
I’m sad that this author seems to have stopped publishing. I enjoyed her books when they came out and have been sad that she stopped.
amyiw's review against another edition
4.0
Started to re-read after reading [b:The Red Heart of Jade|93480|The Red Heart of Jade (Dirk & Steele, #3)|Marjorie M. Liu|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388598975l/93480._SY75_.jpg|3186492] and being very disappointed. I thought I might have misjudged the series but now know I didn't. I loved it and read 1/2 through in my first sitting. I remember the ending as not as great as the beginning but I don't remember why so will continue and finish it to see why I took off the star. After Red Heart, I was considering quitting but remember the other stories even as better. Will update when done.
originally read 2011 (Aug?)
I reread this November 2021 for a 3rd time. The ending has a lot of the future characters. I loved them but it didn't further the plot so slow things up. The bullets well I thought he would have stepped back a watched for a moment. So maybe that was why I originally gave it a 4. I still would rate this 4 1/2 and it would be tough to choose one way or another so leaving my first rating, as I pretty much always do.
originally read 2011 (Aug?)
I reread this November 2021 for a 3rd time. The ending has a lot of the future characters. I loved them but it didn't further the plot so slow things up. The bullets
Spoiler
hitting Hari and him realizing that the weapons were a lot better now, was a little much. I would think every wake up was a learning curve. He had already seen the guns, car, planes, etc... so it would make sense that he would need to see what more there was.jdeternal's review against another edition
4.0
Loved the search and find game. Surprised to find the book, let alone on Free Friday.
Loved the book. A whirlwind romance that takes it slow it the right places...a world of magic and psi...danger and sacrifice...love...
This book is a mat for any shapeshifter lover.
Loved the book. A whirlwind romance that takes it slow it the right places...a world of magic and psi...danger and sacrifice...love...
This book is a mat for any shapeshifter lover.
wealie's review against another edition
5.0
5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 - A great first novel, with a fabulous pair of well rounded and lovable protagonists who work exceptionally well as a couple.
I really enjoyed this first novel in the Dirk & Steele series by Marjorie M. Liu. I liked it so much I’ve gone ahead and bought the rest of the series.
The story revolves around the protagonist couple - Dela Reese: celebrated artist, Dela uses her psychic affinity for metal to create the most intricate and beautiful metal sculptures and ornate weaponry and Harri - last of the tiger shifters, over two thousand years ago Harri was cursed by an evil Magi (a sort of wizard) to follow the every command of whomever frees him from the puzzle box the Magi cursed him to. When the puzzle box lands in Dela’s hands she gets a big surprise when a gorgeous warrior appears in her hotel room. Harri has suffered terribly at the hands of his previous masters and mistresses and expects nothing less from Dela, he’s hardened his heart over the centuries to all manner of pain and torture, but he wasn’t prepared for Dela’s innate kindness and selflessness.
A big theme throughout the novel is morality and responsibility. Dela struggles over whether she is responsible for the deaths of people killed by the weapons she is compelled to create and wonders what it says about her morality that there is something dark in her that requires she forge the weapons. Harri believes his soul stained by the acts of evil his previous masters and mistresses commanded him to commit.
The characters are nicely realised, with healthy depictions of male and female interactions which are still romantic and at times chivalrous, whilst acknowledging a woman’s independence and power as an individual. Liu masterfully shows how the traditional feminine aspects of kindness, caring and nurturing are not passive powers, rather these are profound and powerful attributes that drive the story and are intrical to Harri’s re-awakening and the growth of love between Dela and Harri.
Even though Harri at first sight could be classified as a typical ‘alpha male’ hero, his ability to show his vulnerabilities, accept the power of the feminine and acknowledge Dela’s powers and respect her mean he’s a cut above the average romance ‘alpha male’. Harri having lived a life of pain and torture understands the true power of love, kindness, nurturing and selflessness. That’s not to say he isn’t a product of his time, he’s intensely uncomfortable with having to rely upon Dela in the modern world, but he takes the time to listen and acknowledge Dela when she explains why it’s okay.
The central plot worked well, with just enough intrigue to keep the reader interested, without becoming convoluted or detracting from the character development. The world building was limited, but as Liu set up a fairly limited universe in this first novel it didn’t affect the enjoyment of the story. There are a nice set of supporting characters in the Dirk & Steele team and I’m looking forward to reading some of their stories. Refreshingly Liu didn’t fall into the trap of trying to set up too many follow on story arcs, rather left the characters to unfold naturally.
All in all a great read and one I’d definitely recommend to paranormal romance lovers.
I really enjoyed this first novel in the Dirk & Steele series by Marjorie M. Liu. I liked it so much I’ve gone ahead and bought the rest of the series.
The story revolves around the protagonist couple - Dela Reese: celebrated artist, Dela uses her psychic affinity for metal to create the most intricate and beautiful metal sculptures and ornate weaponry and Harri - last of the tiger shifters, over two thousand years ago Harri was cursed by an evil Magi (a sort of wizard) to follow the every command of whomever frees him from the puzzle box the Magi cursed him to. When the puzzle box lands in Dela’s hands she gets a big surprise when a gorgeous warrior appears in her hotel room. Harri has suffered terribly at the hands of his previous masters and mistresses and expects nothing less from Dela, he’s hardened his heart over the centuries to all manner of pain and torture, but he wasn’t prepared for Dela’s innate kindness and selflessness.
A big theme throughout the novel is morality and responsibility. Dela struggles over whether she is responsible for the deaths of people killed by the weapons she is compelled to create and wonders what it says about her morality that there is something dark in her that requires she forge the weapons. Harri believes his soul stained by the acts of evil his previous masters and mistresses commanded him to commit.
The characters are nicely realised, with healthy depictions of male and female interactions which are still romantic and at times chivalrous, whilst acknowledging a woman’s independence and power as an individual. Liu masterfully shows how the traditional feminine aspects of kindness, caring and nurturing are not passive powers, rather these are profound and powerful attributes that drive the story and are intrical to Harri’s re-awakening and the growth of love between Dela and Harri.
Even though Harri at first sight could be classified as a typical ‘alpha male’ hero, his ability to show his vulnerabilities, accept the power of the feminine and acknowledge Dela’s powers and respect her mean he’s a cut above the average romance ‘alpha male’. Harri having lived a life of pain and torture understands the true power of love, kindness, nurturing and selflessness. That’s not to say he isn’t a product of his time, he’s intensely uncomfortable with having to rely upon Dela in the modern world, but he takes the time to listen and acknowledge Dela when she explains why it’s okay.
The central plot worked well, with just enough intrigue to keep the reader interested, without becoming convoluted or detracting from the character development. The world building was limited, but as Liu set up a fairly limited universe in this first novel it didn’t affect the enjoyment of the story. There are a nice set of supporting characters in the Dirk & Steele team and I’m looking forward to reading some of their stories. Refreshingly Liu didn’t fall into the trap of trying to set up too many follow on story arcs, rather left the characters to unfold naturally.
All in all a great read and one I’d definitely recommend to paranormal romance lovers.
missmegreads's review against another edition
5.0
Short review: A or 5/5 stars for a book that renewed my belief that paranormal romance is a viable genre. A convincing romance that works on more than the sexual level, and interesting mystery, equality between partners, and generally just a well told story.
Full review: http://megwrites.dreamwidth.org/193608.html
Full review: http://megwrites.dreamwidth.org/193608.html