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bitchie's review
4.0
I still liked it, but I noticed a lot of timeline issues, and a bunch of things got crammed into the very end, that I don't remember noticing the first time around. Well, I'm sure I noticed the end, but I don't remember questioning how part 2 picks up a month later, but it's somehow been a year since Roan had seen Matt, who was definitely in the first part, and went back to rehab for "20 days".
a_reader_obsessed's review
4.0
Though this series is probably billed as a paranormal mystery, I feel that that is pigeon holing it into a subcategory that is not all true. Of course the crux of these stories is Roan and how he is probably the only born (not infected) virus human/cat hybrid that has actually come out on top of this dreaded disease, where everyone else's lifespans are drastically cut short. Him being a private investigator is a good device on seeing how he works, thinks, lives. However if you've gotten this far into the series then you know he's barely living at all, drowning in despair, desolate with loss.
Roan has a tenuous hold on his composure and what he thinks is his sanity. His pain is too much to bear and he's understandably not wanting to move on from Paris. He struggles with survivor's guilt and the unknown when it comes to his lion side.
Somehow his friends finagle him into taking on a case which actually slowly brings him out of his self imposed isolation and numb stupor. Again the various things he investigates aren't really the main part of the story. It showcases what he's been through, how he's coping, and how much further he has to go.
Again, this author shows the worst facets of our human nature. She has made Roan's world full of hate, sadness, and violence. His voice is still bitterly snarky, the biting humor stings just a bit more in the face of loss and trying to live again. I appreciate also the great supporting characters, fully fleshed out and each with their own fun and often tragic voice. There is no sugar coating this harsh world but there is some hope there, there are definitely things to be grateful for and appreciate. I look forward to seeing Roan find more of those reasons; I want him to find those things that make life worth it and that is what's going to make me come back for more.
As always, thanks to Otila, Rosa, Sofia, Desinka and Meep for a great BR!
Roan has a tenuous hold on his composure and what he thinks is his sanity. His pain is too much to bear and he's understandably not wanting to move on from Paris. He struggles with survivor's guilt and the unknown when it comes to his lion side.
Somehow his friends finagle him into taking on a case which actually slowly brings him out of his self imposed isolation and numb stupor. Again the various things he investigates aren't really the main part of the story. It showcases what he's been through, how he's coping, and how much further he has to go.
Again, this author shows the worst facets of our human nature. She has made Roan's world full of hate, sadness, and violence. His voice is still bitterly snarky, the biting humor stings just a bit more in the face of loss and trying to live again. I appreciate also the great supporting characters, fully fleshed out and each with their own fun and often tragic voice. There is no sugar coating this harsh world but there is some hope there, there are definitely things to be grateful for and appreciate. I look forward to seeing Roan find more of those reasons; I want him to find those things that make life worth it and that is what's going to make me come back for more.
As always, thanks to Otila, Rosa, Sofia, Desinka and Meep for a great BR!
pokeikon's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-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
3.0
lkmreads's review
3.0
2.5 again.
I'm not sure what to say about this. Maybe because Or maybe because there's still so much tell, tell, tell and "This is what happened" and none of the actual showing. (And I'm not going to touch the (!) and such inserted in the text this time).
It makes me wonder how I liked the one I read that made me want to read the series and failed to notice this. I guess I thought it was a fun idea, or maybe the writing had improved by then, or I was just in the right mood that I overlooked it.
In brief, I keep having the same troubles as with the previous books: Interesting idea, could-be-ok plots, but less than desirable execution (at least for my reading taste). I was actually prepared to give this one a full 3 stars because there was actually kissing (on the lips, le gasp!) and actually some more relationship stuff that made it feel a bit more like it really was focused on the characters and not in a weird in-between this time, but then the last half was sort of meh and ruined that feeling and 2.5 it is.
And also, I don't know what's with the need of describing to detail what people we only see once are wearing, it's not like it affected anything. Or knowing the full menu of what they're eating.
I'm not sure what to say about this. Maybe because
Spoiler
I've had enough of crazy lovers who lost someone up and talking to their dead SO in the next installment, in a book that doesn't involve actual ghosts, and thinking that amount of crazy is the normal 'angsty' default way to dealing with heavy loss.It makes me wonder how I liked the one I read that made me want to read the series and failed to notice this. I guess I thought it was a fun idea, or maybe the writing had improved by then, or I was just in the right mood that I overlooked it.
In brief, I keep having the same troubles as with the previous books: Interesting idea, could-be-ok plots, but less than desirable execution (at least for my reading taste). I was actually prepared to give this one a full 3 stars because there was actually kissing (on the lips, le gasp!) and actually some more relationship stuff that made it feel a bit more like it really was focused on the characters and not in a weird in-between this time, but then the last half was sort of meh and ruined that feeling and 2.5 it is.
And also, I don't know what's with the need of describing to detail what people we only see once are wearing, it's not like it affected anything. Or knowing the full menu of what they're eating.
ezichinny's review
4.0
✪✪✪✪
This one was an emotional journey as it has been a year
Work and a new friendship (the later also precipitated by Paris) finally started to help Roan take affirmative steps to living again. Dylan isn't Paris, but he is good for Roan and I really like that.
I am kind of glad Matt wasn't the choice as Matt doesn't quite "know himself" and isn't emotionally stable to deal with Roan and his issues.
This one was an emotional journey as it has been a year
Spoiler
since the loss. It was so sad to see Ro in such a funk. But it was so encouraging to see how Paris had taken so many steps to try to make sure Roan would be okay. He had notes, people etc to try to uplift Roan.Work and a new friendship (the later also precipitated by Paris) finally started to help Roan take affirmative steps to living again. Dylan isn't Paris, but he is good for Roan and I really like that.
I am kind of glad Matt wasn't the choice as Matt doesn't quite "know himself" and isn't emotionally stable to deal with Roan and his issues.
shazov's review
5.0
Another series that just keeps getting better and better!.Andrea Speed again weaves a tale full of emotion, action and beautiful characters.
The characters are so well written that their emotions are palpable, As a reader you are drawn into the story, into their lives. You are made a part of it and again they grabbed my heart and made a home in it.
I can't wait to read the next one!
Reread October 2020
I had to continue straight on after Bloodlines even though I know the beginning of this book is also quite tough. Even knowing what is going to happen, I still needed the reassurance that Roan would survive. No matter that it's been 7 years since I've read this first, it is still has as great an impact as it did the first time round.
The characters are so well written that their emotions are palpable, As a reader you are drawn into the story, into their lives. You are made a part of it and again they grabbed my heart and made a home in it.
I can't wait to read the next one!
Reread October 2020
I had to continue straight on after Bloodlines even though I know the beginning of this book is also quite tough. Even knowing what is going to happen, I still needed the reassurance that Roan would survive. No matter that it's been 7 years since I've read this first, it is still has as great an impact as it did the first time round.
kaje_harper's review
4.0
This book is not as intense as the first two, but it still is an engaging and interesting read, and vital (to my emotional satisfaction) in showing Roan moving on after book two. I like the opening, which eases us into Roan's new life alone. Dylan is a nice guy, although not the character that Paris was. And Fox is great. The ending wrap-everything-up summary was a little too narrative. If four or five of those scenes had been played out instead of described I think it would have avoided a little let-down feeling at the end of this book and made it a 5 star read for me. But if there is another in this series, I will gladly continue to read about Roan and his life.
sylvia_is_reading's review
4.0
I liked Life after death better then Hysteria. Maybe because I read all books back to back but it's starting to feel a bit repetitive with the cases he's taking and Roan not understanding why anyone could feel something for him.
3.5
3.5
danifeatherstone's review
4.0
It's impossible to dislike this series and it has quickly become one of my favorite urban fantasy series.
After finishing [b:Infected: Bloodlines|23420503|Infected Bloodlines (Infected, #2)|Andrea Speed|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1416210484s/23420503.jpg|14537115], a break was needed. Not too long though, because after a day or so I was desperate to pick this one up. And it does not disappoint, not that I expected to be, of course.
Yes, it was different without Paris, but it wasn't a bad thing. I thought I might hate Dylan cause I thought he would be taking Paris's place, but no! I actually really liked Dylan, and he didn't put me off the book.
Also, I have to say sometimes it was a little confusing with all these new character introduced at the same time along with some old that haven't been seen in a while. And the timeline was kind of all over the place, if there even was one.
Another thing I should say was one of the cases in the first book wasn't wrapped up until the end of the second book and to be honest by then I'd pretty much completely forgotten who they were. Thankfully not all that important.
After finishing [b:Infected: Bloodlines|23420503|Infected Bloodlines (Infected, #2)|Andrea Speed|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1416210484s/23420503.jpg|14537115], a break was needed. Not too long though, because after a day or so I was desperate to pick this one up. And it does not disappoint, not that I expected to be, of course.
Yes, it was different without Paris, but it wasn't a bad thing. I thought I might hate Dylan cause I thought he would be taking Paris's place, but no! I actually really liked Dylan, and he didn't put me off the book.
Also, I have to say sometimes it was a little confusing with all these new character introduced at the same time along with some old that haven't been seen in a while. And the timeline was kind of all over the place, if there even was one.
Another thing I should say was one of the cases in the first book wasn't wrapped up until the end of the second book and to be honest by then I'd pretty much completely forgotten who they were. Thankfully not all that important.