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mellhay's review against another edition
3.0
I read Ravenous before I started reviewing, so I didn't do a review for it. Do you need to read it before this book? No, I don't think you do. You could if you would like to get just a little bit more idea of the background but I don't think it is needed to get into this story.
Mac returns to Fairview a year after the big show-down, which killed the female demon who made him the demon he is now - or what is left after Holly Carvers' spell that left him strong as his demon and very hungry but not able to eat human souls. Alessandro Caravelli has been waiting Macs return... to kill him, as punishment for his involvement with the demons against all other supernatural creatures trying to live peacefully with the humans and against the humans as well.
Alessandro seems to have softened some with living off his love with Holly now as apposed to feeding on blood, and puts Mac in the Castle - a supernatural prison. In the Castle Mac learns more of the Castle and its inhabitants along with finding a case that calls to his human nature. The Castle itself is in danger of failing. I start to feel for Mac in this book. He is just an innocent man who got mixed up with the wrong girl in the last book and now has to suffer as an unwanted demon. But Mac starts to find his way.
There is not as much in this book with Holly and Alessandro. These two are a wonderful couple (witch and vampire) and I really started loving them in Ravenous. You do get to meet Ashe, Hollys' sister. Now, you thought you had it bad with the in-laws? Try being Alessandro, living with probably the most powerful witch to live from a family of witches and her sister... being a vampire slayer.
I really enjoyed the tremendous amount of possible angles to the storyline here in the beginning. There was a good bit thought to happen with five great characters storylines. I really enjoyed getting all the different views in the beginning. Then, getting into the book it seemed to slow down in the storyline for me. It seemed that Holly, Alessandro, and Ashe got put on the back burner with Mac and Constance being the front line of the story. Which I loved learning about this couple, but I would have liked more from the others.
It was also given that the Castle is a very dangerous place, but I was expecting more from the Castle than I got. Then I got to the last seventy to eighty pages and the story picked up wonderfully again. I got here what I wanted from the Castle and got to have my favorite characters in the action as well.
The couple Mac and Constance was hard for me to accept at first with the way they got together. It seemed a little rushed or pushed, but by the end of the book they were perfect together.
In the end of the book I loved all the characters and all seems great... for a time. There is an opening to go into a book three. I will pick up book three because I have liked these characters again and the author has left me with hope for book three to have great possibilities.
Mac returns to Fairview a year after the big show-down, which killed the female demon who made him the demon he is now - or what is left after Holly Carvers' spell that left him strong as his demon and very hungry but not able to eat human souls. Alessandro Caravelli has been waiting Macs return... to kill him, as punishment for his involvement with the demons against all other supernatural creatures trying to live peacefully with the humans and against the humans as well.
Alessandro seems to have softened some with living off his love with Holly now as apposed to feeding on blood, and puts Mac in the Castle - a supernatural prison. In the Castle Mac learns more of the Castle and its inhabitants along with finding a case that calls to his human nature. The Castle itself is in danger of failing. I start to feel for Mac in this book. He is just an innocent man who got mixed up with the wrong girl in the last book and now has to suffer as an unwanted demon. But Mac starts to find his way.
There is not as much in this book with Holly and Alessandro. These two are a wonderful couple (witch and vampire) and I really started loving them in Ravenous. You do get to meet Ashe, Hollys' sister. Now, you thought you had it bad with the in-laws? Try being Alessandro, living with probably the most powerful witch to live from a family of witches and her sister... being a vampire slayer.
I really enjoyed the tremendous amount of possible angles to the storyline here in the beginning. There was a good bit thought to happen with five great characters storylines. I really enjoyed getting all the different views in the beginning. Then, getting into the book it seemed to slow down in the storyline for me. It seemed that Holly, Alessandro, and Ashe got put on the back burner with Mac and Constance being the front line of the story. Which I loved learning about this couple, but I would have liked more from the others.
It was also given that the Castle is a very dangerous place, but I was expecting more from the Castle than I got. Then I got to the last seventy to eighty pages and the story picked up wonderfully again. I got here what I wanted from the Castle and got to have my favorite characters in the action as well.
The couple Mac and Constance was hard for me to accept at first with the way they got together. It seemed a little rushed or pushed, but by the end of the book they were perfect together.
In the end of the book I loved all the characters and all seems great... for a time. There is an opening to go into a book three. I will pick up book three because I have liked these characters again and the author has left me with hope for book three to have great possibilities.
andimontgomery's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. This story followed Mac, the ex-detective turned demon. The Castle setting was not as interesting as the first book, but the characters were likable.
rclz's review against another edition
5.0
This is the second book in Sharon Ashwood's Dark Forgotten series. I got tired of waiting for this one to be converted to an ebook to I bit the bullet and bought the book. Glad I did. It's a good story with good solid characters. Happily the ones from here on out are in ebook form.
witandsin's review against another edition
2.0
My review is posted on Joyfully Reviewed: http://www.joyfullyreviewed.com/new-reviews/scorched-by-sharon-ashwood
It’s a difficult thing for a cop to find himself on the wrong side of a prison door. That’s what happened (in a way) to former detective Connall Macmillan. A year ago, he picked up the wrong girl at a bar and – Bam! – next thing Mac knew he was a soul-sucking demon with a ravenous appetite. Now that he’s been thrown in the Castle, a crumbling paranormal prison, Mac is determined to get out. Then he meets the beautiful, not-fully-Turned vampire Constance, and everything changes. Constance’s adopted son has been kidnapped and Mac, while a demon, hasn’t truly left the “protect and serve” motto behind. But recovering the kidnapped incubus has bigger repercussions than either Mac or Constance could ever have imagined. Constance and Mac will be in for the fight of their lives to save not only her son, but all those who are trapped in the Castle.
Just like its predecessor, Ravenous, Scorched has supernatural snark to spare. The second installment in Sharon Ashwood’s Dark Forgotten series is all attitude, which wouldn’t have been a bad thing if it didn’t overpower the world. Ms. Ashwood has a talent for world building that shines through parts of Scorched, but unfortunately, I found myself wishing that I could leave the characters behind to explore the world. Mac, who intrigued me in Ravenous, seems to have lost his unique voice in Scorched – a bad thing to happen for a hero. Constance, in turn, is surprisingly bland and seems to lose her identity over the course of the book. As for the romance between Constance and Mac…sadly, I felt like the story was simply going through the motions to bring about their falling in love, which still ended up being a case of “tell” over “show.”
The bright spots in terms of characters are Holly and Alessandro of Ravenous. Surprisingly, I liked this pair even better in Scorched than in their own book. Both they and their romance felt more fleshed out in Scorched, which was a wonderful discovery for me. The dark spot? Holly’s sister Ashe, the heroine of the next Dark Forgotten book, Unchained. Ashe is 95% attitude and it didn’t work for me. For most of Scorched, Ashe left such a bad taste in my mouth that I had to walk away from the book after reading a scene with her in it. As you might have guessed with her being the heroine of the next book, she has a bit of a turnaround, but it was too little too late; she soured any interest I had in reading Unchained.
While Scorched is the second book in The Dark Forgotten series, you don’t have to read Ravenous to be able to follow along. For those who have already enjoyed Ravenous, be forewarned that Scorched doesn’t move at as quick a pace. I loved the world of the Castle and Ms. Ashwood definitely kept me intrigued with its dangerous corridors and plethora of supernatural species. Unfortunately for me, the good parts of Scorched were outweighed by the not-so-great elements. As much as I wanted to like Scorched (and I really did try to enjoy it), it simply wasn’t the book for me.
It’s a difficult thing for a cop to find himself on the wrong side of a prison door. That’s what happened (in a way) to former detective Connall Macmillan. A year ago, he picked up the wrong girl at a bar and – Bam! – next thing Mac knew he was a soul-sucking demon with a ravenous appetite. Now that he’s been thrown in the Castle, a crumbling paranormal prison, Mac is determined to get out. Then he meets the beautiful, not-fully-Turned vampire Constance, and everything changes. Constance’s adopted son has been kidnapped and Mac, while a demon, hasn’t truly left the “protect and serve” motto behind. But recovering the kidnapped incubus has bigger repercussions than either Mac or Constance could ever have imagined. Constance and Mac will be in for the fight of their lives to save not only her son, but all those who are trapped in the Castle.
Just like its predecessor, Ravenous, Scorched has supernatural snark to spare. The second installment in Sharon Ashwood’s Dark Forgotten series is all attitude, which wouldn’t have been a bad thing if it didn’t overpower the world. Ms. Ashwood has a talent for world building that shines through parts of Scorched, but unfortunately, I found myself wishing that I could leave the characters behind to explore the world. Mac, who intrigued me in Ravenous, seems to have lost his unique voice in Scorched – a bad thing to happen for a hero. Constance, in turn, is surprisingly bland and seems to lose her identity over the course of the book. As for the romance between Constance and Mac…sadly, I felt like the story was simply going through the motions to bring about their falling in love, which still ended up being a case of “tell” over “show.”
The bright spots in terms of characters are Holly and Alessandro of Ravenous. Surprisingly, I liked this pair even better in Scorched than in their own book. Both they and their romance felt more fleshed out in Scorched, which was a wonderful discovery for me. The dark spot? Holly’s sister Ashe, the heroine of the next Dark Forgotten book, Unchained. Ashe is 95% attitude and it didn’t work for me. For most of Scorched, Ashe left such a bad taste in my mouth that I had to walk away from the book after reading a scene with her in it. As you might have guessed with her being the heroine of the next book, she has a bit of a turnaround, but it was too little too late; she soured any interest I had in reading Unchained.
While Scorched is the second book in The Dark Forgotten series, you don’t have to read Ravenous to be able to follow along. For those who have already enjoyed Ravenous, be forewarned that Scorched doesn’t move at as quick a pace. I loved the world of the Castle and Ms. Ashwood definitely kept me intrigued with its dangerous corridors and plethora of supernatural species. Unfortunately for me, the good parts of Scorched were outweighed by the not-so-great elements. As much as I wanted to like Scorched (and I really did try to enjoy it), it simply wasn’t the book for me.
turophile's review against another edition
3.0
The summer of romance reading continues. Picked up this book because another by the author had been nominated for a RITA.
I'm not much of a paranormal fan, but it's not horrible so far(high praise from me). In fact I'm enjoying aspects of it. After the first sex scene though I felt compelled to comment, however.
I found the initial sex scene a bit depressing. It was very confusing about whether the heroine really wanted to allow the mighty wang to take out the maidenhood - and it appears she went along with it because she wanted the hero to rescue her kidnapped son. Even though she enjoyed it, afterward she was still wondering whether she did the wrong thing because she (Constance) was not sure if he (Mac) would really follow through on his promise. This notion of giving up the "maidenhood" in exchange for him helping her - umm . . seems pretty close to prostituting herself. Not as bad as rape, but pretty damn old school. Thought we'd moved away from that in modern romance books - and it wasn't necessary to the story. Also, the author may want to do a little more research on where the "maidenhood" is actually located - hint, it don't take that long to reach it. It's at the opening.
After finishing the book, I'm still cynical about the Connie as a virgin vampire thing. I enjoyed other aspects of the book though.
I'm not much of a paranormal fan, but it's not horrible so far(high praise from me). In fact I'm enjoying aspects of it. After the first sex scene though I felt compelled to comment, however.
I found the initial sex scene a bit depressing. It was very confusing about whether the heroine really wanted to allow the mighty wang to take out the maidenhood - and it appears she went along with it because she wanted the hero to rescue her kidnapped son. Even though she enjoyed it, afterward she was still wondering whether she did the wrong thing because she (Constance) was not sure if he (Mac) would really follow through on his promise. This notion of giving up the "maidenhood" in exchange for him helping her - umm . . seems pretty close to prostituting herself. Not as bad as rape, but pretty damn old school. Thought we'd moved away from that in modern romance books - and it wasn't necessary to the story. Also, the author may want to do a little more research on where the "maidenhood" is actually located - hint, it don't take that long to reach it. It's at the opening.
After finishing the book, I'm still cynical about the Connie as a virgin vampire thing. I enjoyed other aspects of the book though.
prationality's review
4.0
We first met Mac in Holly and Alessandro's adventure, Ravenous, when he was just a simple detective who picked up the wrong (the very wrong) dame at the bar. He wasn't a bad guy, and until he decided to do some pretty bad things, I liked him a lot. At the end of the book however he ended up in the Castle, a sort of...purgatory I suppose for supernaturals.
And this shouldn't be necessary, but spoilers for the first book.
A year has passed since the events of Ravenous and Mac is back out in the bright world looking for a purpose and redemption. The spell that had been the death of his demon-mistress Geneva (long may she rot) had drained most of his demonic needs for souls. Sadly it didn't make him completely human so he's struggling much like a former alcoholic or junkie does. Except former alcoholics and junkies don't have to worry about a vampire law enforcer hunting them down in case they fall off the wagon. Thrown back into the Castle, Mac runs into Constance and from there his whole world shifts.
Much like the first book this isn't strictly about Mac and Constance's relationship, but interweaves their budding relationship with the trials of Alessandro and Holly's continued relationship, Holly's elder sister Ashe's return and crazy crazy shenanigans in the Castle. Someone is creating havoc in the Castle, more then usual that is, and that in turn is creating havoc for everyone else involved.
Mac of this book is the Mac I loved in Ravenous--he's witty, he's charming and he's got that Detective Noir vibe radiating off him. Constance was very intriguing. Technically a vampire, she was tossed into the supernatural infested Castle before she drew blood so she's got the fangs, but not the powers. Her first meeting with Mac had to be one of the funniest things ever. Basically it went from a heavy make out session to Constance: 'Just let me bite you' Mac: 'No!' Constance: 'Come on!' Mac: 'No means no!'
Despite his hating to perpetuate the vampire stereotype of the brooding undead in the night, Alessandro does a lot of that this book. Mostly because Holly's sister Ashe--the vampire slayer--does her level best to make him doubt that he's making Holly happy. She'd rather be cutting off his head or staking him, but she settles for extreme emotional abuse.
Ashe was so...something. If Jane Lynch was a little younger I could see her playing Ashe in a movie/tv version of Scorched. Tough, conflicted and this side of mentally unhinged Ashe can't fathom why Holly has forgiven her for what happened if she can't forgive herself. Really her and Alessandro should have had plenty in common--they both really like to dwell in brooding self-pityland filled with regrets for past injuries and mistakes.
The plot is a little more complex this time, involving a larger variety of players and consequences. I will say that Mac gets to redeem himself, Alessandro stops brooding long enough to take a good hard look at things, Ashe...stops trying to kill Alessandro every time his back is turned and Holly manages to surprise Alessandro. I mean completely surprise him.
Book 3, due out in July 2010 at the moment, is titled Unchained and the excerpt reveals it to be centering around Ashe and Reynard (a Guardsmen Captain from the Castle). I sincerely hope that a future book revolves around Constance's 'son' Sylvius since I grew rather fond of him.
And this shouldn't be necessary, but spoilers for the first book.
A year has passed since the events of Ravenous and Mac is back out in the bright world looking for a purpose and redemption. The spell that had been the death of his demon-mistress Geneva (long may she rot) had drained most of his demonic needs for souls. Sadly it didn't make him completely human so he's struggling much like a former alcoholic or junkie does. Except former alcoholics and junkies don't have to worry about a vampire law enforcer hunting them down in case they fall off the wagon. Thrown back into the Castle, Mac runs into Constance and from there his whole world shifts.
Much like the first book this isn't strictly about Mac and Constance's relationship, but interweaves their budding relationship with the trials of Alessandro and Holly's continued relationship, Holly's elder sister Ashe's return and crazy crazy shenanigans in the Castle. Someone is creating havoc in the Castle, more then usual that is, and that in turn is creating havoc for everyone else involved.
Mac of this book is the Mac I loved in Ravenous--he's witty, he's charming and he's got that Detective Noir vibe radiating off him. Constance was very intriguing. Technically a vampire, she was tossed into the supernatural infested Castle before she drew blood so she's got the fangs, but not the powers. Her first meeting with Mac had to be one of the funniest things ever. Basically it went from a heavy make out session to Constance: 'Just let me bite you' Mac: 'No!' Constance: 'Come on!' Mac: 'No means no!'
Despite his hating to perpetuate the vampire stereotype of the brooding undead in the night, Alessandro does a lot of that this book. Mostly because Holly's sister Ashe--the vampire slayer--does her level best to make him doubt that he's making Holly happy. She'd rather be cutting off his head or staking him, but she settles for extreme emotional abuse.
Ashe was so...something. If Jane Lynch was a little younger I could see her playing Ashe in a movie/tv version of Scorched. Tough, conflicted and this side of mentally unhinged Ashe can't fathom why Holly has forgiven her for what happened if she can't forgive herself. Really her and Alessandro should have had plenty in common--they both really like to dwell in brooding self-pityland filled with regrets for past injuries and mistakes.
The plot is a little more complex this time, involving a larger variety of players and consequences. I will say that Mac gets to redeem himself, Alessandro stops brooding long enough to take a good hard look at things, Ashe...stops trying to kill Alessandro every time his back is turned and Holly manages to surprise Alessandro. I mean completely surprise him.
Book 3, due out in July 2010 at the moment, is titled Unchained and the excerpt reveals it to be centering around Ashe and Reynard (a Guardsmen Captain from the Castle). I sincerely hope that a future book revolves around Constance's 'son' Sylvius since I grew rather fond of him.
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