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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
djotaku's review against another edition
4.0
I set out to see if I could enjoy a romance book. I got this Marjorie Liu book for free from Barnes and Noble in a Friday giveaway. The cover promised a cheesy romance, but I knew going in it was Liu who I loved on X-Men and I knew it was a paranormal romance, to which my wife said "like the movie Ghost?"
It turned out to essentially be like the Robert Ludllum books I read in college while flying home on break, only with better sex scenes (because the two characters in a Ludlum book usually ended up knocking boots). This is a thriller that takes place on two continents with some elements of urban fantasy.
I really liked the story and could see myself reading more of the series. I was invested in the characters and Liu created a compelling universe. Sure, lots of standard romance tropes (the oft-recited ones ) were there: this guy can give her emotionally and sexually what no other man could. She's an every-woman in looks and he's a stunner. He's perfectly chivalrous about sexual acts. But they don't detract from a good story and, anyway, genre fiction is all about the tropes.
I recently came across an article saying that ereaders are causing a renaissance in erotica and romance because no one can see what you're reading. That's definitely the case here (with me) as this cover gives off more of a bodice ripper vibe.
It turned out to essentially be like the Robert Ludllum books I read in college while flying home on break, only with better sex scenes (because the two characters in a Ludlum book usually ended up knocking boots). This is a thriller that takes place on two continents with some elements of urban fantasy.
I really liked the story and could see myself reading more of the series. I was invested in the characters and Liu created a compelling universe. Sure, lots of standard romance tropes (the oft-recited ones ) were there: this guy can give her emotionally and sexually what no other man could. She's an every-woman in looks and he's a stunner. He's perfectly chivalrous about sexual acts. But they don't detract from a good story and, anyway, genre fiction is all about the tropes.
I recently came across an article saying that ereaders are causing a renaissance in erotica and romance because no one can see what you're reading. That's definitely the case here (with me) as this cover gives off more of a bodice ripper vibe.
bowdiesgirl's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Overall liked the characters. had a hard time staying focused on the story. Not sure I will try to read the next in the series.
janetval's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
4.0
reginaexmachina's review against another edition
4.0
The premise of this book is pretty cheesy. Lone woman releases cursed tiger-shifter-warrior-man from a box who is obligated to obey her every whim and they fall in love. But there's more to it, like the setting at first is in China which was interesting. And the woman has psychic powers like being able to see the future and having control over metal. She also happens to be from a family of people with psychic powers who run a company that employs people around the world... with psychic powers. The heroine also does metalworking for a living, creating weapons and metal sculptures. It sounds really silly but I have to say it was well executed and had me reading the whole thing in one sitting. It's much better than it sounds and really has me exited for the rest of the series. You meet several members of her family's company, Dirk and Steele, who were quite a bunch of characters. The only complaint I have about this book was I thought the ending felt like it came too quick and I wanted more. It actually had quite a bit of action going on and was really fun to read. I have to say, I'm pleasantly surprised.
hellegade's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this page-turner.
A vacation in China turns into a mystery. What do you do when suddenly you are responsible for a tiger shifter warrior, and at the same time are chased by several people wanting to kill you? Well you kick butt and take no prisoners.
I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading the next book in the Dirk & Steel series.
A vacation in China turns into a mystery. What do you do when suddenly you are responsible for a tiger shifter warrior, and at the same time are chased by several people wanting to kill you? Well you kick butt and take no prisoners.
I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading the next book in the Dirk & Steel series.
homosexual's review against another edition
4.0
My Booktube
Listen: if you're going in for the weretiger he cant shift until like the last 20% so don't get this for that. Still loved the romance but still just a fair warning for my paranormal lovers out there.
Things that probs didn't age well: the use of rape as a plot thing towards the end (nothing is physically done, but it is threatened) and the whole "we are snitching on illegal immigrants" thing that happens towards the end.
I did like the romance that happens in this book as well as the feelings of a found family we get with the whole Dirk & Steele team. I also really liked that the Dirk & Steele team are basically just the X-Men with their psychic powers, and now I'm into this since it feels like X-Men-esque romance with paranormal elements so I'm all for that. While our supporting cast isn't massive, I do like that they at least get enough space so we have some idea of who they are as people.
The first half is fairly slow as most of the book takes place in a hotel room while our two POVs get to know each other, which for me flew by and I really liked that it made the time that did pass feel longer. And they kind of had to confront all their issues head on in that first half so we at least know they like each other, and it clears up some of the confusion for how this dynamic is going to work.
This was listened to on audiobook so that probably affected how I enjoyed whether for good or bad who knows! But I did like this and I intend to continue further into the series.
Listen: if you're going in for the weretiger he cant shift until like the last 20% so don't get this for that. Still loved the romance but still just a fair warning for my paranormal lovers out there.
Things that probs didn't age well: the use of rape as a plot thing towards the end (nothing is physically done, but it is threatened) and the whole "we are snitching on illegal immigrants" thing that happens towards the end.
I did like the romance that happens in this book as well as the feelings of a found family we get with the whole Dirk & Steele team. I also really liked that the Dirk & Steele team are basically just the X-Men with their psychic powers, and now I'm into this since it feels like X-Men-esque romance with paranormal elements so I'm all for that. While our supporting cast isn't massive, I do like that they at least get enough space so we have some idea of who they are as people.
The first half is fairly slow as most of the book takes place in a hotel room while our two POVs get to know each other, which for me flew by and I really liked that it made the time that did pass feel longer. And they kind of had to confront all their issues head on in that first half so we at least know they like each other, and it clears up some of the confusion for how this dynamic is going to work.
This was listened to on audiobook so that probably affected how I enjoyed whether for good or bad who knows! But I did like this and I intend to continue further into the series.