Scan barcode
abeautytoyourbeast's review against another edition
3.0
I liked the book as a whole and found it to be a quick and fun read. The beginning was a bit slow for me and the "what I wanted to say..." phrase was pushing my last nerve. I was oh so happy when it suddenly stopped making an appearance!
Persephone Isis is a normal heroine, does not believe her own destiny or purpose and continues to argue with everyone else who sees it. She is willing to do anything for those she loves, no matter the cost to her own karma soul. I originally believed she had no magic and was a tarot card totting wanna be, the mojo she uses later completely changed my opinion.
I love Johnny, the beautiful and tattooed werewolf that wants nothing more than a date with her. He has a way of being both intimidating and sweet, and the man has a way to win a heart. She took entirely too long to give in to him. He won me over instantly. Then when he said "It's a hundred kisses, or none." he had me, forever.
I thought for sure we was going to following in the steps of Jenn Bennett and not have some stupid love triangle, but alas, enter the Vampire [Master], just as gorgeous as any model could be with an attitude to boot.
Persephone learns that she is the Lustrata after being forced into a situation by the coven's High Priestess, Vivian. A vicious and conniving woman with a very black heart. She "tricks" Persephone into a contract that is strewn with falsehoods and half truths.
I was saddened by the lack of backstory about the mother who left her, the unknown father and his sole picture - as someone recognized it during the ceremony, and the grandmother who took her in. In someways Nana seems to have resented it by not preparing her for the future, but also did as best by her as she could, presumably.
As an animal love Poopsie turned Ares could have played a bigger role, but once he got a better name he was apparently relegated to the crate for the rest of time.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and look forward to the second.
Persephone Isis is a normal heroine, does not believe her own destiny or purpose and continues to argue with everyone else who sees it. She is willing to do anything for those she loves, no matter the cost to her own karma soul. I originally believed she had no magic and was a tarot card totting wanna be, the mojo she uses later completely changed my opinion.
I love Johnny, the beautiful and tattooed werewolf that wants nothing more than a date with her. He has a way of being both intimidating and sweet, and the man has a way to win a heart. She took entirely too long to give in to him. He won me over instantly. Then when he said "It's a hundred kisses, or none." he had me, forever.
I thought for sure we was going to following in the steps of Jenn Bennett and not have some stupid love triangle, but alas, enter the Vampire [Master], just as gorgeous as any model could be with an attitude to boot.
Persephone learns that she is the Lustrata after being forced into a situation by the coven's High Priestess, Vivian. A vicious and conniving woman with a very black heart. She "tricks" Persephone into a contract that is strewn with falsehoods and half truths.
I was saddened by the lack of backstory about the mother who left her, the unknown father and his sole picture - as someone recognized it during the ceremony, and the grandmother who took her in. In someways Nana seems to have resented it by not preparing her for the future, but also did as best by her as she could, presumably.
As an animal love Poopsie turned Ares could have played a bigger role, but once he got a better name he was apparently relegated to the crate for the rest of time.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and look forward to the second.
jonsnowsmanbun's review
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
3.5
quietbookbird's review against another edition
3.0
Hmm. Some intriguing details in the world building, a good magic system, and a relatively likeable heroine and side characters (but nothing really special).
Overall a decent book, but didn't quite hit the spot, and had some niggling details/issues that turned me off it a bit. Ie. some self righteous, stiff unnatural monologue about how the heroine always had a sense of justice, some bizarrely irrelevant and slightly judgey encounters with old high school friends, and a slightly outdated feel (no cellphone?) that made me check its release date and the author's age- strangely it was only released a few years ago and the authors photo looked really young.
Anyway, mildly entertaining and I'll probably look into the sequel, but this book didn't impress me enough to earn four or five stars.
Overall a decent book, but didn't quite hit the spot, and had some niggling details/issues that turned me off it a bit. Ie. some self righteous, stiff unnatural monologue about how the heroine always had a sense of justice, some bizarrely irrelevant and slightly judgey encounters with old high school friends, and a slightly outdated feel (no cellphone?) that made me check its release date and the author's age- strangely it was only released a few years ago and the authors photo looked really young.
Anyway, mildly entertaining and I'll probably look into the sequel, but this book didn't impress me enough to earn four or five stars.
veronica87's review against another edition
2.0
1.5 stars
Meh. Nothing new here. Of course, this book was published a decade ago and if I had read it back then maybe I would have thought it was new and awesome. As it is, I've read a LOT of urban fantasy stories over the years so I'll just review all the old standards that are present in this one.
1. A likable yet still mostly bland heroine. Nothing much stands out about her until suddenly, *Bum-Bum-BUM!* she becomes The One.
2. The enigmatic, devastatingly handsome, immortal being who takes a sudden interest in the aforementioned likable but pleasingly bland heroine because in all his long centuries of life he has somehow never met anyone like her. Maybe all these immortal beings live as 24 hour shut-ins. Or maybe they really mean they've never met a woman quite so devoid of basic common sense because, personally, at only a few chapters in I was already thinking our heroine lacked some basic critical thinking skills. It took her well over the halfway mark before she even started to ask questions she should have been asking way back at chapter three. Not the brightest tool in the shed but what do I know? I'm not an immortal being.
3. The makings of the usual love triangle. And our heroine won't let piddling little things likethe kidnapping of her family and threats to their lives, and the removal of her free will and consent so that potential suitor can force his attentions on her spoil the attraction. Pfft! If the guy is hot enough it trumps everything else.
4. The use of a mark/bond/whathaveyou to create a forced sense of intimacy between the heroine and one of the potential suitors because, oh I don't know, the author just doesn't want to put in the effort to actually craft a relationship over time.
So, yeah, been there, done that, tired of that. This is another series that is one-and-done for me.
Meh. Nothing new here. Of course, this book was published a decade ago and if I had read it back then maybe I would have thought it was new and awesome. As it is, I've read a LOT of urban fantasy stories over the years so I'll just review all the old standards that are present in this one.
1. A likable yet still mostly bland heroine. Nothing much stands out about her until suddenly, *Bum-Bum-BUM!* she becomes The One.
2. The enigmatic, devastatingly handsome, immortal being who takes a sudden interest in the aforementioned likable but pleasingly bland heroine because in all his long centuries of life he has somehow never met anyone like her. Maybe all these immortal beings live as 24 hour shut-ins. Or maybe they really mean they've never met a woman quite so devoid of basic common sense because, personally, at only a few chapters in I was already thinking our heroine lacked some basic critical thinking skills. It took her well over the halfway mark before she even started to ask questions she should have been asking way back at chapter three. Not the brightest tool in the shed but what do I know? I'm not an immortal being.
3. The makings of the usual love triangle. And our heroine won't let piddling little things like
4. The use of a mark/bond/whathaveyou to create a forced sense of intimacy between the heroine and one of the potential suitors because, oh I don't know, the author just doesn't want to put in the effort to actually craft a relationship over time.
So, yeah, been there, done that, tired of that. This is another series that is one-and-done for me.
mousegoddess's review against another edition
3.0
I picked this up at the library, I just liked the title. It was okay, the writing was decent, and the characterization was consistent. However...while it was an okay book, it left me with no desire to read the rest of the series. It started out really well, so maybe I was just expecting a different kind of story than I got and that's why I feel let down. It's definitely worth a read and if you like paranormal romance you'll probably enjoy this series. I think I was expecting more of a paranormal mystery/thriller type story and less of a messiah story.
vailynst's review against another edition
3.0
*Notes: Story about transformations and taking charge of choices. Vague links on exactly what friendships, family and even emotional attachments are to the main character.
shaedegray's review
4.0
So it's currently 19:24, December 23, 2k15. I'm sitting at the kitchen table, I have chocolate croissants baking in the oven, my sister is sitting on the couch watching Ancient Aliens in the connected room area place (whatever the fuck, man, English houses are weird), it's the holiday season, and my day has been perfect.
It started with my mum and I going to do some last-minute holiday shopping in the morning, but since I woke up too late I didn't have enough time to drink my coffee so I took the mug with me to the car, and let me tell you, that was the best thing I could have done. I shared so many laughs with strangers driving past, you honestly wouldn't believe it.
After we came back, mum left work work, I cleaned the house, did the laundry, cooked lunch, then did some painting, then made dinner, then finished reading Vicious Circle, now I'm getting ready for the croissants and tea for later by the fireplace.
Reading Vicious Circle was like my day. It was just really, really nice. (Oh man, I wish you could hear my dog snoring, it's absolutely hilarious.) I've said this before, and I'll say it again, urban fantasy will always be up my alley. Reading these books makes me feel good, it's a little like watching reality TV if I'm being honest. I don't know where I was going with this anymore.
Anyway. This book is nice.
It started with my mum and I going to do some last-minute holiday shopping in the morning, but since I woke up too late I didn't have enough time to drink my coffee so I took the mug with me to the car, and let me tell you, that was the best thing I could have done. I shared so many laughs with strangers driving past, you honestly wouldn't believe it.
After we came back, mum left work work, I cleaned the house, did the laundry, cooked lunch, then did some painting, then made dinner, then finished reading Vicious Circle, now I'm getting ready for the croissants and tea for later by the fireplace.
Reading Vicious Circle was like my day. It was just really, really nice. (Oh man, I wish you could hear my dog snoring, it's absolutely hilarious.) I've said this before, and I'll say it again, urban fantasy will always be up my alley. Reading these books makes me feel good, it's a little like watching reality TV if I'm being honest. I don't know where I was going with this anymore.
Anyway. This book is nice.
frankvanmeer's review
4.0
I agree with an other reviewer that there's a lot of danger with this series going the Anita Blake route. In fact so much so, I'm reluctant to start with the rest of the series, and that's a shame, because this book was good.
The heroine is a down to earth witch ( if that's possible), who values friendships above else. She is no ass-kicking woman, instead, she tackles issues with intellect and reason. Ofcourse all is not what it seems to be, but by the end of the book, she is still the same person.
I loved the witchiness in this book. No insta magic, but carefully prepared and used.
The world building is your standard UF fare, everything paranormal is known to man, but not every paranormal is accepted. For some reason, the weres are considered second rate citizens, and there's a lot of politics going on in the background.
But, as I said at the start, as soon as the vampire is introduced, I got weary. In fact, I'm sick and tired with the vampire/werwolf combo, especially when the chances are high it will result in a love triangle. That's a dealbreaker for me, even if the rest of the story is great. Because of this, I'm not sure I will read the the rest.
The heroine is a down to earth witch ( if that's possible), who values friendships above else. She is no ass-kicking woman, instead, she tackles issues with intellect and reason. Ofcourse all is not what it seems to be, but by the end of the book, she is still the same person.
I loved the witchiness in this book. No insta magic, but carefully prepared and used.
The world building is your standard UF fare, everything paranormal is known to man, but not every paranormal is accepted. For some reason, the weres are considered second rate citizens, and there's a lot of politics going on in the background.
But, as I said at the start, as soon as the vampire is introduced, I got weary. In fact, I'm sick and tired with the vampire/werwolf combo, especially when the chances are high it will result in a love triangle. That's a dealbreaker for me, even if the rest of the story is great. Because of this, I'm not sure I will read the the rest.
More...