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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
Following the disastrous outcome of the events in Shooting Scars, Javier, Ellie and Camden are forced to team up to right the wrongs. Having the three thrown together forces Ellie to finally choose between the two men that stole her heart.
Bold Tricks is the final installment of The Artists Trilogy where we finally get to see how everything culminates. Told from the sole point of view of Ellie, Bold Tricks maintains the violent and thrilling complexity we've come to expect. All loose ends are tied up sufficiently but without that picture perfect ending because that's the least you could expect with a cast of characters like this. Is there a happily ever after? Well... I suppose that depends on which Team you're on. I will say I was a bit disappointed at the portrayal of a certain character though, but won't reveal who. My guess is it was a way of making Ellie's choice a bit easier but that person's actions seemed too out of character and didn't fit as well with what we've come to expect.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, this is not my normal genre and if I didn't adore Karina Halle's writing from her Experiment in Terror series then I likely would have never picked this up. Contemporary Romance is not my go-to genre, but the fascinating cast of characters is what truly makes this series shine. They may be written in such a way that makes them incredibly realistic, but they are in no way average nor predictable. I'm incredibly sad to see this series come to an end and despite my slight disappointment, Bold Tricks is still a satisfying enough end and a fantastic trilogy overall.
Bold Tricks is the final installment of The Artists Trilogy where we finally get to see how everything culminates. Told from the sole point of view of Ellie, Bold Tricks maintains the violent and thrilling complexity we've come to expect. All loose ends are tied up sufficiently but without that picture perfect ending because that's the least you could expect with a cast of characters like this. Is there a happily ever after? Well... I suppose that depends on which Team you're on. I will say I was a bit disappointed at the portrayal of a certain character though, but won't reveal who. My guess is it was a way of making Ellie's choice a bit easier but that person's actions seemed too out of character and didn't fit as well with what we've come to expect.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, this is not my normal genre and if I didn't adore Karina Halle's writing from her Experiment in Terror series then I likely would have never picked this up. Contemporary Romance is not my go-to genre, but the fascinating cast of characters is what truly makes this series shine. They may be written in such a way that makes them incredibly realistic, but they are in no way average nor predictable. I'm incredibly sad to see this series come to an end and despite my slight disappointment, Bold Tricks is still a satisfying enough end and a fantastic trilogy overall.
* I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. *
OH MY GAWD! I wish I could have taken a photo of my face while reading this book. It probably would’ve looked something like this.
Bold Tricks sucked me right back in where Shooting Scars left off, and I was absolutely terrified for Ellie and Camden. I love that Karina Halle gave us a preview of a young Ellie before everything happened and then brought us back to Ellie as she is now.
Ellie in this book really grew up. My biggest problem with Shooting Scars was that Ellie fell right back into Javier’s schemes and that really bothered me. Especially because she had no faith in Camden, well Bold Tricks shows us an Ellie who recognizes that what she did was wrong. She even eventually apologizes to Camden, I loved that Ellie realized that she had wronged Camden, but in the end she still loved him and told him so.
I did feel for Camden because at the end of the previous book he was completely shattered by what Ellie did. However I knew that he would come around because he did love Ellie so much. It was evident in everything he did, and the fact that even afterwards he was so protective of her.
I’m really glad that Ellie got closure in this book, and I loved how well it was wrapped up. Karina Halle did a fantastic job of showing just how done Ellie was with Javier’s manipulations. It made me so happy that twice she put him in his place. Ellie wanted to trust him, but knew that she couldn’t and finally realized it. I loved that Violetta was part of this realization, and Javier’s coldness to his sister was just shocking. He seemed to care so much for them in the other books, but the reality was completely different.
I loved this series from the moment I started reading them. I am so glad that Ellie and Camden got their happy ending, and that everything worked out. There were so many shocking twists and turns in this novel alone that I would recommend this to anyone who likes surprises. I give this book a full 5 out of 5 stars, and would recommend this series to absolutely everyone.
*This review was first posted to Moonlight Gleam's Bookshelf http://moonlightgleam.com/2013/10/bold-tricks-by-karina-halle-review-excerpt-and-giveaway.html*
OH MY GAWD! I wish I could have taken a photo of my face while reading this book. It probably would’ve looked something like this.
Bold Tricks sucked me right back in where Shooting Scars left off, and I was absolutely terrified for Ellie and Camden. I love that Karina Halle gave us a preview of a young Ellie before everything happened and then brought us back to Ellie as she is now.
Ellie in this book really grew up. My biggest problem with Shooting Scars was that Ellie fell right back into Javier’s schemes and that really bothered me. Especially because she had no faith in Camden, well Bold Tricks shows us an Ellie who recognizes that what she did was wrong. She even eventually apologizes to Camden, I loved that Ellie realized that she had wronged Camden, but in the end she still loved him and told him so.
I did feel for Camden because at the end of the previous book he was completely shattered by what Ellie did. However I knew that he would come around because he did love Ellie so much. It was evident in everything he did, and the fact that even afterwards he was so protective of her.
I’m really glad that Ellie got closure in this book, and I loved how well it was wrapped up. Karina Halle did a fantastic job of showing just how done Ellie was with Javier’s manipulations. It made me so happy that twice she put him in his place. Ellie wanted to trust him, but knew that she couldn’t and finally realized it. I loved that Violetta was part of this realization, and Javier’s coldness to his sister was just shocking. He seemed to care so much for them in the other books, but the reality was completely different.
I loved this series from the moment I started reading them. I am so glad that Ellie and Camden got their happy ending, and that everything worked out. There were so many shocking twists and turns in this novel alone that I would recommend this to anyone who likes surprises. I give this book a full 5 out of 5 stars, and would recommend this series to absolutely everyone.
*This review was first posted to Moonlight Gleam's Bookshelf http://moonlightgleam.com/2013/10/bold-tricks-by-karina-halle-review-excerpt-and-giveaway.html*
3 1/2 stars.
Did I like it, yes...but I didn't love it.
Did I feel the whole book was good, no. I think it had its ups and downs.
Like so many Javier's fans I felt disappointed. I think that in order to make us swoon over Cam the author portrayed a totally different Javier, he was the most original and charismatic character from the series, OES was the best book as well, Javier's development on this book felt alien. He was super powerful one moment to then change and be the head of an unimportant cartel, he was the evil beast but saved their lives on several occasions....you are either really evil or remorseful but he lied in between, where there is nothing but a forced feeling.
I hated the ending. They were all criminals but the only one who got hot handed was Javier, they were murderers, cons, etc but the evil one was sent to prison? I though that if he was left behind dealing with his cartel affairs, we would have a spin off of him, something like, "four years later while leading Los Zetas he met a woman who ....." but I guess that was too ideal and this author had another agenda.
One nerdy guy, one out of the blue photographer, one boy, one girl, a dog and a freaking house in front of the beach....perfection much?
Did I like it, yes...but I didn't love it.
Did I feel the whole book was good, no. I think it had its ups and downs.
Like so many Javier's fans I felt disappointed. I think that in order to make us swoon over Cam the author portrayed a totally different Javier, he was the most original and charismatic character from the series, OES was the best book as well, Javier's development on this book felt alien. He was super powerful one moment to then change and be the head of an unimportant cartel, he was the evil beast but saved their lives on several occasions....you are either really evil or remorseful but he lied in between, where there is nothing but a forced feeling.
I hated the ending. They were all criminals but the only one who got hot handed was Javier, they were murderers, cons, etc but the evil one was sent to prison? I though that if he was left behind dealing with his cartel affairs, we would have a spin off of him, something like, "four years later while leading Los Zetas he met a woman who ....." but I guess that was too ideal and this author had another agenda.
One nerdy guy, one out of the blue photographer, one boy, one girl, a dog and a freaking house in front of the beach....perfection much?
Sigh. Goodreads error'd out and lost my review and I don't feel like rewriting it. So long story short... I was disappointed in the ending to this series. It turned into a stereotypical romance complete with cheesy dialogue and nonsensical plot. The biggest bummer was the the choice between men turning into a complete cop out. Ah well. At least there was action and closure.
Have I mentioned how much I am OBSESSED with this series?? No?
Well.. I AM!!
And here is what I thought about the FINAL book in the Artist Trilogy
*SPOIL FREE REVIEW*
Everything I wanted to happen in this trilogy-happened and I couldn't be happier with how it ended...
Ellie, let's face it, she was a big C U Next Tuesday throughout this series but this time I got to see more inside of her heart and head. She opens up and reveals the different depths and layers of her soul. There were times where I was aching and in tears because of her and I finally saw, I finally got what and where she was coming from.
I couldn't blame her for being a cunt anymore..
She redeemed herself in my eyes...
"My real nature, my real self, wanted that person to believe in me, to see the good, ignore the bad, and make me feel like I had a future."
This book begins exactly where Shooting Scars left off, in the forest with Javier and Camden. They are officially on the run and must work/trust each other in order to get out of this messy situation they are all in. There is backstabbing, action, blood, gun fights, chases... everything.
More characters are introduced that I LOVED and even old characters come into play that make much needed confessions. We get the answers we want and I got the ending I prayed for!!!
"I love you.... And I'll have you. Keep you. Own you. You belong to me, only me, from now on."
I am literally in a book fog because of this book..
I don't want to sleep, eat, do anything other than think about this book.. I loved it!!!
It was my absolute FAVORITE out of the entire series..
Action, sex, steam, lust, betrayal, confusion, hurt, pain, fighting, love...
Just amazing characters, plot, everything..
Loved this series!
Definitely one of the best I have read!
I cried, I laughed, I screamed in frustration... I was a bipolar off her meds!
"Just fuck me, I told him, my mouth sucking on his soft earlobe. "Just fucking love me."
I give this entire series a 4.5/5 and Bold Tricks a 5/5!!!
Well.. I AM!!
And here is what I thought about the FINAL book in the Artist Trilogy
*SPOIL FREE REVIEW*
Everything I wanted to happen in this trilogy-happened and I couldn't be happier with how it ended...
Ellie, let's face it, she was a big C U Next Tuesday throughout this series but this time I got to see more inside of her heart and head. She opens up and reveals the different depths and layers of her soul. There were times where I was aching and in tears because of her and I finally saw, I finally got what and where she was coming from.
I couldn't blame her for being a cunt anymore..
She redeemed herself in my eyes...
"My real nature, my real self, wanted that person to believe in me, to see the good, ignore the bad, and make me feel like I had a future."
This book begins exactly where Shooting Scars left off, in the forest with Javier and Camden. They are officially on the run and must work/trust each other in order to get out of this messy situation they are all in. There is backstabbing, action, blood, gun fights, chases... everything.
More characters are introduced that I LOVED and even old characters come into play that make much needed confessions. We get the answers we want and I got the ending I prayed for!!!
"I love you.... And I'll have you. Keep you. Own you. You belong to me, only me, from now on."
I am literally in a book fog because of this book..
I don't want to sleep, eat, do anything other than think about this book.. I loved it!!!
It was my absolute FAVORITE out of the entire series..
Action, sex, steam, lust, betrayal, confusion, hurt, pain, fighting, love...
Just amazing characters, plot, everything..
Loved this series!
Definitely one of the best I have read!
I cried, I laughed, I screamed in frustration... I was a bipolar off her meds!
"Just fuck me, I told him, my mouth sucking on his soft earlobe. "Just fucking love me."
I give this entire series a 4.5/5 and Bold Tricks a 5/5!!!
So this book is odd one because I was actually really into a lot of the intensely perilous cartel nonsense in the first half. I’ve read a few mafia/cartel books before this, and they almost aways “raise the stakes” by turning into a plot driven action novel with plot bullets and real bullets that nearly miss all the major players over and over again. But i thought the action was written well and I didn’t feel lost to what was going on in all of the action haze. Everything was very clear, straight forward and actually I found it a page turner. The love triangle awkwardness of the FMC being stuck on the run with her evil cartel leader ex lover and the “good guy” love interest who she hasn’t been recently faithful to was actually really compelling. I think I’d just been conditioned by the last 2.5 books to not expect any depth in this nonsensical series, so the MMC having to process how to forgive the FMC and mutually work to trust each other again (thankfully with no supremely cringe POV from him this time like there was in book 2) all while dodging bullets and working with the snarky “always one step ahead” cartel leader - it all was all very entertaining. However, the big action climax scene happened with so much book left I felt nervous, and it ended up being for good reason...
I had totally forgot about the MMC’s son.
Why these main character idiots (also murdering, lying, con artists who are probably deeply traumatized by all the near death stuff) think that it would be a good idea to STEAL the MMCs son from his mother, the only parent he’s ever known, to raise him themselves?? I was baffled. Up until this point, the baby mama hadn’t really shown herself to be an unfit mother. Sure she came from a mafia family, but she never expressed that she didn’t want her kid. She just hated the MMC and for good reason since he once PHYSICALLY ASSAULTED her and then as far as she knew, left her without paying any child support (because her mafia brothers were stealing it before it reached her). It also seems like she works a stable job and provides for the kid - it’s even in text that the kid has his own playroom full of toys! But now that it’s convenient for the book to have our “in wuvvv” couple able to get the baby back (baby back, baby back), they want that baby back (baby back, baby back). It’s totally waved away as A-OK because baby mama is now going to have a scene of her saying selfish, heartless things and resenting her motherhood status. Justification!! But no, that wasn’t enough. She is then, most egregiously, just killed off to get rid of any actual guilt that our murdering heroes might have for stealing her child out from under her. “You see son, she was only a good mother when I was off with the FMC murdering cartel cronies in Honduran jungle, now that I am available to claim you, she’s actually been a terrible mother for your whole life, and so I’m totally justified in every decision I’ve ever made.” Plot convenience at its worst.
Also the nonsensical decision making by the losing love interest was almost more appallingly than the above, but probably harder to explain. I can see how it would be unethical to write a HEA end to this book and leave one of the MCs off to run a dangerous drug cartel, but the logical steps he takes to end up in handcuffs is just bananas. I can only imagine if he had a POV chapter trying to explain why he was even there in the first place.
Of course it ends with a record scratch happy epilogue set many years in the future in happy babi-fied domestic bliss without any explanation for how any of that mess was cleaned up.
Full. Deep. Sigh...I should have stopped reading after the big bad was taken out.
I had totally forgot about the MMC’s son.
Why these main character idiots (also murdering, lying, con artists who are probably deeply traumatized by all the near death stuff) think that it would be a good idea to STEAL the MMCs son from his mother, the only parent he’s ever known, to raise him themselves?? I was baffled. Up until this point, the baby mama hadn’t really shown herself to be an unfit mother. Sure she came from a mafia family, but she never expressed that she didn’t want her kid. She just hated the MMC and for good reason since he once PHYSICALLY ASSAULTED her and then as far as she knew, left her without paying any child support (because her mafia brothers were stealing it before it reached her). It also seems like she works a stable job and provides for the kid - it’s even in text that the kid has his own playroom full of toys! But now that it’s convenient for the book to have our “in wuvvv” couple able to get the baby back (baby back, baby back), they want that baby back (baby back, baby back). It’s totally waved away as A-OK because baby mama is now going to have a scene of her saying selfish, heartless things and resenting her motherhood status. Justification!! But no, that wasn’t enough. She is then, most egregiously, just killed off to get rid of any actual guilt that our murdering heroes might have for stealing her child out from under her. “You see son, she was only a good mother when I was off with the FMC murdering cartel cronies in Honduran jungle, now that I am available to claim you, she’s actually been a terrible mother for your whole life, and so I’m totally justified in every decision I’ve ever made.” Plot convenience at its worst.
Also the nonsensical decision making by the losing love interest was almost more appallingly than the above, but probably harder to explain. I can see how it would be unethical to write a HEA end to this book and leave one of the MCs off to run a dangerous drug cartel, but the logical steps he takes to end up in handcuffs is just bananas. I can only imagine if he had a POV chapter trying to explain why he was even there in the first place.
Of course it ends with a record scratch happy epilogue set many years in the future in happy babi-fied domestic bliss without any explanation for how any of that mess was cleaned up.
Full. Deep. Sigh...I should have stopped reading after the big bad was taken out.
Loved it. Review to come! Can't wait for the Dirty Angels series!!
Loved this series so much, hate to say goodbye the Ellie and Camden. :(
can't believe its over . will miss Ellie and Camden . loved the ending . it was emotional and action packed book. !! :) many secrets and twists are revealed which will shock you . !
I was underwhelmed for the middle third, and I was worried that the big firefight happened too soon, but then things picked back up and I enjoyed the last fourth as much as I had the beginning. Brought it from 2 stars to 3!