Helpful Score: 15
I liked this book, but I think potential readers should keep one thing in mind; this, despite the classification, is not a romance. Yes, there is a love story, but the primary focus of the book is world building, and the story is a paranormal thriller with a romance sub plot. If I judge the book this way, I like it a lot. If I were to judge it as a romance, it would fail, because Viehl's primary purpose is not developing romantic love; it's the story of one a woman and her brother and their dangerous involvement in the world of the Darkyn and the Brethren (enemies of the Darkyn). The world building is intricate; Viehl has a strong and compelling voice, and the characters are nicely drawn.
Unlike other reviewers, I did not dislike the heroine. She can be a bit abrasive, but I found this more realistic and true to life. I am heartily sick of sweet, silly, perfect heroines. Alex read to me like a real woman, who had real issues stemming from losing her parents and her brother. She also had the distinction of being one of the few Romance heroine surgeons, who I actually believed was a surgeon, rather than Doctor Barbie. The hero was slightly more problematic, because he did not seem to be as developed, and his motivations were less clear.
This book is part of a series that I am enjoying, and reading it is necessary to really appreciate the other books. If you approach this expecting a good paranormal, rather than a good Romance, I think you will find yourself pleased and intrigued enough to continue with the rest of the Darkyn saga.
Unlike other reviewers, I did not dislike the heroine. She can be a bit abrasive, but I found this more realistic and true to life. I am heartily sick of sweet, silly, perfect heroines. Alex read to me like a real woman, who had real issues stemming from losing her parents and her brother. She also had the distinction of being one of the few Romance heroine surgeons, who I actually believed was a surgeon, rather than Doctor Barbie. The hero was slightly more problematic, because he did not seem to be as developed, and his motivations were less clear.
This book is part of a series that I am enjoying, and reading it is necessary to really appreciate the other books. If you approach this expecting a good paranormal, rather than a good Romance, I think you will find yourself pleased and intrigued enough to continue with the rest of the Darkyn saga.
Helpful Score: 9
Pretty good! As I was reading, I realized how easy it was to tell that this was an experienced author. As much as I like paranormals, this one really pointed out how often little moments of unlikely dialogue or badly phrased, flowery descriptions pop up in so many of them. Viehl has a long-standing successful sci-fi series and it shows. (And I do believe her other series has a doctor as the main character too!)
The story itself is not at all cutesy like many paranormals are these days. No sweetsy pet demons in this one! That could be good or bad, depending on your mood. The story really worked and the characters were interesting -- I hope we learn more about them in future books. I wasn't sure John's storyline was going to add much at first, but his story grew on me a lot as the plot unfolded.
All in all, definitely recommended, and I'll be continuing with this series.
The story itself is not at all cutesy like many paranormals are these days. No sweetsy pet demons in this one! That could be good or bad, depending on your mood. The story really worked and the characters were interesting -- I hope we learn more about them in future books. I wasn't sure John's storyline was going to add much at first, but his story grew on me a lot as the plot unfolded.
All in all, definitely recommended, and I'll be continuing with this series.
Helpful Score: 7
This is one of those books that you pick up and do not want to put down. My poor family had a very late dinner.
I really enjoy the whole vampire/paranormal romance genre. However, I don't like reading the same storyline over and over again. So I was pleased to see a new 'side' to vampires in this book. I found the idea that they needed a surgeon to heal themselves very intriguing.
Good book!
I really enjoy the whole vampire/paranormal romance genre. However, I don't like reading the same storyline over and over again. So I was pleased to see a new 'side' to vampires in this book. I found the idea that they needed a surgeon to heal themselves very intriguing.
Good book!
Helpful Score: 3
I like the overall idea of the series but I disliked the main female character in this book. Unpleasant personality, rude, and indecisive.The ending was flat as well. I liked it enough to try the second in the series.
Helpful Score: 3
Disappointing. I had high hopes from this series and this author who is one of my favorites. Alex, the heroine, is bitchy and nasty through out the book. I couldn't connect with her sarcasm on this one, and Michael, the Darkyn of this book was fussy. I didn't find a shred of masculinity in him. This book can't hold a candle to J.R. Ward's "Black Dagger Brotherhood".
