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librarycatnip's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Wonderful adaptation, love the Graphic Audios!
magikspells's review against another edition
3.0
I have a lot of strong feelings about this series, mostly because I really enjoyed it from the very beginning, which apparently is not the general consensus. I think we can all agree though that to write a good dystopian/fantasy world that is both complex and unique requires a multitude of details that just can't be fully conveyed in one book. That's where a lot of people got lost, hell I got lost. But by this part of the series, everything is settled with the setting, plot, characters, etc.
I just don't know, I felt like by this point in the series there should be more going on. I love a good build up to a relationship, but Kate and Curran drag their feet for so long that I expected something grand to come of them getting together. Instead, it was less than grand. Still, their interactions were fun and I love their banter, I can't help it, they're perfect for each other.
But there's a lot of parts of this book that didn't mesh so well with me. Namely in the form of Andrea and Julie. I just never got particularly attached to either of these characters and I feel like their stories kind of drag everything down. Don't get me wrong, I loved Andrea before, I think she's one of the more dynamic characters, but they've turned her into something weird and less than awesome with her attitude. And Julie is just a waste of space. There is nothing good enough about her to warrant Kate's affection. Ugh.
I'm not that excited about the next book, particularly since I started it and didn't really like where it was going. I might hold off on this series for a little while, we'll see.
I just don't know, I felt like by this point in the series there should be more going on. I love a good build up to a relationship, but Kate and Curran drag their feet for so long that I expected something grand to come of them getting together. Instead, it was less than grand. Still, their interactions were fun and I love their banter, I can't help it, they're perfect for each other.
But there's a lot of parts of this book that didn't mesh so well with me. Namely in the form of Andrea and Julie. I just never got particularly attached to either of these characters and I feel like their stories kind of drag everything down. Don't get me wrong, I loved Andrea before, I think she's one of the more dynamic characters, but they've turned her into something weird and less than awesome with her attitude. And Julie is just a waste of space. There is nothing good enough about her to warrant Kate's affection. Ugh.
I'm not that excited about the next book, particularly since I started it and didn't really like where it was going. I might hold off on this series for a little while, we'll see.
katieinca's review against another edition
4.0
Good fun. Absolutely delightful additions to the cast of characters. The plot on this one felt a little... like the construction did not come easily. Lots of moving pieces, early set up dominos, Chekovs guns, etc. But it's pretty easy to look away from the scaffolding and enjoy the ride.
katareadsalot's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
literaryintersections's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The GA of these are so freaking good omg
kzimm2024's review against another edition
5.0
Why do I not remember this terrific story?? I have proof I read it in 2018 but no review and 4 stars. Silly Krista. Anyway- Jan 2024 re-read and 5 stars. Loved it. Kate & Curran forever.
This one shows us what mated life for them looks like, the power struggle and the painful fact of the violent life they live. Kate has a new job, Julie gets attacked (and saved), we get new characters (hey- where was Raphael during this fight??) and Kate learns new powers. Its so good.
Highlights and spoilers ahead!
When they discover Julie has run away from school again:
I kissed his lips and picked up my sword. “Thank you. And tell them not to spoil her with fried chicken if they have to pick her up.”
Curran shook his head. “I can’t promise that. I’m not a complete bastard.”
---------
The phone rang. Now what? I marched to my desk and picked it up. “Yes?”
Curran’s voice filled the phone. “Are you okay?”
It was completely absurd, but hearing him instantly made me feel better. “Yeah.”
The tension in his voice eased. “You sure you don’t need your Prince Charming to come and save you?”
The knot in my stomach evaporated. My Prince Charming, huh. “Sure, do you have one handy?”
Enter Andrea to the Cutting Edge:
“Would you like to work here with me?” Andrea stared at me. “We have no clients and the pay is shit.”
Kate is now "Consort" and is navigating life at the Keep:
“I know it’s late, but could you find a book for me? It’s called The Slavs: Study of Pagan Tradition by Osvintsev.”
Barabas sighed dramatically. “Kate, you make me despair. Let’s try that again from the top, except this time pretend you are an alpha.”
“I don’t need a lecture. I just need the book.”
“Much better. Little more growl in the voice?”
“Barabas!”
“And we’re there. Congratulations! There is hope for you yet. I will look into the book.”
I hung up the phone and glared at Curran. “What’s so funny?”
“You.”
“Laugh while you can. You have to sleep eventually, and then I’ll take my revenge.”
“You’re such a violent woman. Always with the threats. You should look into some meditation techniques . . .”
I jumped on the couch and put the Beast Lord into an armlock.
Julie meets Ascanio :)
Julie grabbed his arm, twisted it, flipping him over on his stomach, landed on Ascanio’s back, pulled a plastic tie from her pocket, and locked his wrists.
I wanted to jump up and down, clapping.
We’d practiced this takedown over the Christmas break and she had done it perfectly.
-------------
“Oh no.” Julie clicked her tongue. “Did the mean human girl pick on you? Does the little bouda boy want his mommy?”
“Untie me!”
“Awww, the little baby is crying. Boohoo. Does the baby need his bottle and his teddy?”
Original highlight, LOL:
“A dollar for your thoughts.”
“The usual price is a penny, not a dollar. Had I known how bad you were with money, I would’ve reconsidered this whole mating thing.”
A device threatens to kill all magic, so they need to find it and destroy it. It brings tensions to the surface :)
“NO.” Curran strode to the car, heading down the street away from the temple.
“No what?” I knew what, but I wanted him to spell it out. That way I could shut him down better.
--------------
I stared at him. “The mass transit is gone. No planes, no reliable roads. The world is big again, Kate. He will never find us.”
“What about the Pack?”
His upper lip trembled, betraying the edge of his teeth. “Fuck the Pack. I gave them fifteen years of my life. I fought for them, bled for them, and the moment my back was turned, they attacked my wife. I owe them nothing.” Whew!
Tidbit for future stories, Rowena comes to visit Kate:
Note to self: avoid being in debt to the witches like the plague.
“Whatever it is you want, Kate, I will do it. No matter how foul. Even if it means debasing and humiliating myself . . .”
Fantastic. Who did she think I was, exactly? “I guess we will start with humiliation, move onto debasing, and perhaps do some torture for a spiffy finish.”
Before the big fight, I like how they know their strengths:
I petted my sword. Every second counted.
“Does Curran not involve you in his strategic sessions?” Ghastek asked.
“Nope, I’m just here to look pretty.”
Curran didn’t need me. I wasn’t a general; I was a weapon in need of a target. Arranging large groups of people into an attack force wasn’t my thing.
And after the fight:
Curran dropped next to me. “Hey.”
It’s hard to jump while sitting down. I still managed. “Why do you sneak up on me like that?”
“It’s funny.”
“It’s not.” I leaned into him and he put his arm around me.
“It’s hilarious. It’s almost as funny as your snoring.”
“I don’t snore.”
He nodded with a wide grin. “It’s a quiet peaceful kind of snoring. Like a small cuddly Tasmanian devil. Kind of cute when sleeping, all claws and teeth when awake.”
“You snore worse. At least I don’t turn into a lion in my sleep.”
“I only did it once.”
“Once was weird enough, thank you.”
On to the next!
This one shows us what mated life for them looks like, the power struggle and the painful fact of the violent life they live. Kate has a new job, Julie gets attacked (and saved), we get new characters (hey- where was Raphael during this fight??) and Kate learns new powers. Its so good.
Highlights and spoilers ahead!
When they discover Julie has run away from school again:
I kissed his lips and picked up my sword. “Thank you. And tell them not to spoil her with fried chicken if they have to pick her up.”
Curran shook his head. “I can’t promise that. I’m not a complete bastard.”
---------
The phone rang. Now what? I marched to my desk and picked it up. “Yes?”
Curran’s voice filled the phone. “Are you okay?”
It was completely absurd, but hearing him instantly made me feel better. “Yeah.”
The tension in his voice eased. “You sure you don’t need your Prince Charming to come and save you?”
The knot in my stomach evaporated. My Prince Charming, huh. “Sure, do you have one handy?”
Enter Andrea to the Cutting Edge:
“Would you like to work here with me?” Andrea stared at me. “We have no clients and the pay is shit.”
Kate is now "Consort" and is navigating life at the Keep:
“I know it’s late, but could you find a book for me? It’s called The Slavs: Study of Pagan Tradition by Osvintsev.”
Barabas sighed dramatically. “Kate, you make me despair. Let’s try that again from the top, except this time pretend you are an alpha.”
“I don’t need a lecture. I just need the book.”
“Much better. Little more growl in the voice?”
“Barabas!”
“And we’re there. Congratulations! There is hope for you yet. I will look into the book.”
I hung up the phone and glared at Curran. “What’s so funny?”
“You.”
“Laugh while you can. You have to sleep eventually, and then I’ll take my revenge.”
“You’re such a violent woman. Always with the threats. You should look into some meditation techniques . . .”
I jumped on the couch and put the Beast Lord into an armlock.
Julie meets Ascanio :)
Julie grabbed his arm, twisted it, flipping him over on his stomach, landed on Ascanio’s back, pulled a plastic tie from her pocket, and locked his wrists.
I wanted to jump up and down, clapping.
We’d practiced this takedown over the Christmas break and she had done it perfectly.
-------------
“Oh no.” Julie clicked her tongue. “Did the mean human girl pick on you? Does the little bouda boy want his mommy?”
“Untie me!”
“Awww, the little baby is crying. Boohoo. Does the baby need his bottle and his teddy?”
Original highlight, LOL:
“A dollar for your thoughts.”
“The usual price is a penny, not a dollar. Had I known how bad you were with money, I would’ve reconsidered this whole mating thing.”
A device threatens to kill all magic, so they need to find it and destroy it. It brings tensions to the surface :)
“NO.” Curran strode to the car, heading down the street away from the temple.
“No what?” I knew what, but I wanted him to spell it out. That way I could shut him down better.
--------------
I stared at him. “The mass transit is gone. No planes, no reliable roads. The world is big again, Kate. He will never find us.”
“What about the Pack?”
His upper lip trembled, betraying the edge of his teeth. “Fuck the Pack. I gave them fifteen years of my life. I fought for them, bled for them, and the moment my back was turned, they attacked my wife. I owe them nothing.” Whew!
Tidbit for future stories, Rowena comes to visit Kate:
Note to self: avoid being in debt to the witches like the plague.
“Whatever it is you want, Kate, I will do it. No matter how foul. Even if it means debasing and humiliating myself . . .”
Fantastic. Who did she think I was, exactly? “I guess we will start with humiliation, move onto debasing, and perhaps do some torture for a spiffy finish.”
Before the big fight, I like how they know their strengths:
I petted my sword. Every second counted.
“Does Curran not involve you in his strategic sessions?” Ghastek asked.
“Nope, I’m just here to look pretty.”
Curran didn’t need me. I wasn’t a general; I was a weapon in need of a target. Arranging large groups of people into an attack force wasn’t my thing.
And after the fight:
Curran dropped next to me. “Hey.”
It’s hard to jump while sitting down. I still managed. “Why do you sneak up on me like that?”
“It’s funny.”
“It’s not.” I leaned into him and he put his arm around me.
“It’s hilarious. It’s almost as funny as your snoring.”
“I don’t snore.”
He nodded with a wide grin. “It’s a quiet peaceful kind of snoring. Like a small cuddly Tasmanian devil. Kind of cute when sleeping, all claws and teeth when awake.”
“You snore worse. At least I don’t turn into a lion in my sleep.”
“I only did it once.”
“Once was weird enough, thank you.”
On to the next!
docrobreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
ali_bali_bee's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0