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A review by elliebelle_
Where Death Meets the Devil by L.J. Hayward
4.0
4 action-packed stars
A very fun read, that was initially held back by its then/now structure, but finally converged into a satisfying pace.
Told in 3rd person from Jack's perspective, the chapters are short and each alternates between now and then. I typically do like to have a chapter up front with the now and then a full flashback session for half the book, because I like knowing how things are going to end up. In this case though I found there was too much switching around.
The intro was interesting, but the story lagged around 20/30% where I didn't have enough information or connection with the characters either in the then or the now. Around 4o% though the storylines start to converge nicely, and then really build into the mad rush of the last 15-20%. It's very much the structure of an action-movie, where rather than having one big romantic conflict around 80%, here the entire last section is just rammed solid with action.
Speaking of which, though you get a good sense of where it's going, the romance is pretty sparing. I did believe that they have a deep, almost inexplicable connection, and the sex scenes are realistic and well-written which does leave you wanting more on the emotional front. I know that will come in later books though and is a purposeful choice.
I live in Sydney and enjoyed being able to situate myself with the location references. I liked the desert scenery and the touches with Sheila the camel, they really are the biggest dickheads (right up there with alpacas, geese and goats). The scenes with the animals served really well to humanise Ethan, who was very much an automaton.
This is not overall a super believable story, but it's such a romp that I didn't struggle to suspend my disbelief and I can't wait to read more.
A very fun read, that was initially held back by its then/now structure, but finally converged into a satisfying pace.
Told in 3rd person from Jack's perspective, the chapters are short and each alternates between now and then. I typically do like to have a chapter up front with the now and then a full flashback session for half the book, because I like knowing how things are going to end up. In this case though I found there was too much switching around.
The intro was interesting, but the story lagged around 20/30% where I didn't have enough information or connection with the characters either in the then or the now. Around 4o% though the storylines start to converge nicely, and then really build into the mad rush of the last 15-20%. It's very much the structure of an action-movie, where rather than having one big romantic conflict around 80%, here the entire last section is just rammed solid with action.
Speaking of which, though you get a good sense of where it's going, the romance is pretty sparing. I did believe that they have a deep, almost inexplicable connection, and the sex scenes are realistic and well-written which does leave you wanting more on the emotional front. I know that will come in later books though and is a purposeful choice.
I live in Sydney and enjoyed being able to situate myself with the location references. I liked the desert scenery and the touches with Sheila the camel, they really are the biggest dickheads (right up there with alpacas, geese and goats). The scenes with the animals served really well to humanise Ethan, who was very much an automaton.
This is not overall a super believable story, but it's such a romp that I didn't struggle to suspend my disbelief and I can't wait to read more.