Helpful Score: 2
Very good book. Stands alone and you don't need to have read any of her others to enjoy it. Just enough backgroud without wasting too much time on it. Loved both characters and couldn't wait to find out how it ended.
Helpful Score: 1
Summary: A twist of fate made Zoe Pappas heir to the Byzant throne. Bound by duty and devotion to keep the empire safe, Zoe is captures while on a secret diplomatic mission and sent to an underground prisoner-of-war camp. In this strange, shadowy place, residents are governed by fellow inmate General Mattias "Doc" Raven, whose powerful magnetism rouses and urgent desire in Zoe. But the intensity of her attraction is matched by her surprise at discovering that Doc has a secret of his own: he is a vampire. Zoe's presence puts everyone in the camp in danger. Doc knows it, and knows too that Zoe's royal status makes it impossible for her to bond with a vampire. The only way to save her is to help her escape, and lose her forever. But some fires are impossible to quench, even when following your heart is the ultimate taboo...
Let me start by admitting I have not done my author research yet for this book. I finished the book in one 4 hour sitting and then once I started to put the review up learned that this book is part of a series...it is actually number eight in Susan Sizemore's 'Primes' series. Well, color me shocked, I had no idea this part of a series as I read it, I never felt like I was missing anything and there wasn't any reference (that I noticed) to previous books or anything like that, crazy. Now on to what I thought...I thought this book was awesome...I just finished it and I am trying to think of anything negative from the whole book...but I can't. The whole story line was very easy to follow, the complexity of the different cultures was unique and easy to understand as well. The characters were awesome and everything had a raw basis of sexuality...and it works well for the book. This book is Kenyon's League meets Ward's brotherhood with a splash of Riddick. I liked it. I think I heartily retract my abhorrence for futuristic romance....can't wait for the sequel as I start the search for the rest of the series.
EXTRA: Stay tuned for Susan Sizemore's blog tour post here at the BBB on the 19th of Nov.
For more information or for purchasing visit Susan Sizemore's webpage.
Also posted: http://www.bibliophilicbookblog.com/2009/11/summary-twist-of-fate-made-zoe-pappas.html
Let me start by admitting I have not done my author research yet for this book. I finished the book in one 4 hour sitting and then once I started to put the review up learned that this book is part of a series...it is actually number eight in Susan Sizemore's 'Primes' series. Well, color me shocked, I had no idea this part of a series as I read it, I never felt like I was missing anything and there wasn't any reference (that I noticed) to previous books or anything like that, crazy. Now on to what I thought...I thought this book was awesome...I just finished it and I am trying to think of anything negative from the whole book...but I can't. The whole story line was very easy to follow, the complexity of the different cultures was unique and easy to understand as well. The characters were awesome and everything had a raw basis of sexuality...and it works well for the book. This book is Kenyon's League meets Ward's brotherhood with a splash of Riddick. I liked it. I think I heartily retract my abhorrence for futuristic romance....can't wait for the sequel as I start the search for the rest of the series.
EXTRA: Stay tuned for Susan Sizemore's blog tour post here at the BBB on the 19th of Nov.
For more information or for purchasing visit Susan Sizemore's webpage.
Also posted: http://www.bibliophilicbookblog.com/2009/11/summary-twist-of-fate-made-zoe-pappas.html
Helpful Score: 1
Excellent read - Sizemore's Primes universe with a futuristic twist. This is a very successful science fiction romance. She fits it into the chronology of the Primes by having it be the first book the vampire ladies are reading for the newly formed Vampire Book Club.
The plot is set in a prisoner of war camp - and it is definitely NOT Hogan's Heroes. But it's also not Auschwitz. One of the reasons it is as good as it is is the hero Matthias Raven; the ranking human officer [a Brigadier General with the Marines], a doctor, and a charismatic leader. The camp is underground with very little lighting... It also houses two non-human races which are relative unknowns.
Zoe is a diplomat who was trying to negotiate an alliance with some of the alien races to aid the Byzant Empire against their foes but her she is captured when an enemy fleet appears. She is sent to the POW camp along with the others captured. She and Raven immediately clash over escape plans - she feels they should be trying to escape, he forbids it. As they begin to work together she serves as diplomatic contact with the aliens and tries to avoid entanglements. Both of them have secrets they are hiding but the lust is rising on both sides. Throw in politics [human and alien] and bigotry [again human and alien] and the path to true love will not run smooth...
Very enjoyable read for me - I hope there are more! This could be read as a stand-alone.
Primes
1. I Burn for You (2003)
2. I Thirst for You (2004)
3. I Hunger for You (2005)
4. A Touch of Harry (2004) (in The Shadows of Christmas Past)
5. Master of Darkness (2006)
6. Primal Heat (2006)
7. Primal Desires (2007)
8. Tempting Fate (2007) (in Moon Fever)
9. Primal Needs (2008)
Dark Stranger
10. Primal Instincts (2010)
The plot is set in a prisoner of war camp - and it is definitely NOT Hogan's Heroes. But it's also not Auschwitz. One of the reasons it is as good as it is is the hero Matthias Raven; the ranking human officer [a Brigadier General with the Marines], a doctor, and a charismatic leader. The camp is underground with very little lighting... It also houses two non-human races which are relative unknowns.
Zoe is a diplomat who was trying to negotiate an alliance with some of the alien races to aid the Byzant Empire against their foes but her she is captured when an enemy fleet appears. She is sent to the POW camp along with the others captured. She and Raven immediately clash over escape plans - she feels they should be trying to escape, he forbids it. As they begin to work together she serves as diplomatic contact with the aliens and tries to avoid entanglements. Both of them have secrets they are hiding but the lust is rising on both sides. Throw in politics [human and alien] and bigotry [again human and alien] and the path to true love will not run smooth...
Very enjoyable read for me - I hope there are more! This could be read as a stand-alone.
Primes
1. I Burn for You (2003)
2. I Thirst for You (2004)
3. I Hunger for You (2005)
4. A Touch of Harry (2004) (in The Shadows of Christmas Past)
5. Master of Darkness (2006)
6. Primal Heat (2006)
7. Primal Desires (2007)
8. Tempting Fate (2007) (in Moon Fever)
9. Primal Needs (2008)
Dark Stranger
10. Primal Instincts (2010)
A sizzling romance set in an exciting new futuristic world where the Human Byzant Empire is at war with a shifting coalition of alien races.
Helpful Score: 1
Fantastic! I read this in one 5 hour sitting as well. I love sci-fi anyway and didn't realize that this would be all my faves in reading - romance, sci-fi, adventure. It is set in the far future where a princess of the realm is captured while on a secret diplomatic mission. She quickly disguises herself as a lieutenant and is dumped in a POW camp with everyone else. She is instantly drawn to the leader of the camp. Who turns out to be a vampire Prime.
I loved the main characters in this. Zoe, the "Purple Princess" is perfect; idealistic, loyal, beautiful, smart, strong. I loved her and wanted to be her. General Raven kept turning into Vin Diesel in my head (as his character from Pitch Black), bald, gravelly, stacked like a brick house, dangerous, secretly caring, and sexy as HELL!
I love the ones that make me cry! Damn, I know someone has this on her wish list, but I might have to read it again. I need to write Susan Sizemore and BEG for a sequel.
I loved the main characters in this. Zoe, the "Purple Princess" is perfect; idealistic, loyal, beautiful, smart, strong. I loved her and wanted to be her. General Raven kept turning into Vin Diesel in my head (as his character from Pitch Black), bald, gravelly, stacked like a brick house, dangerous, secretly caring, and sexy as HELL!
I love the ones that make me cry! Damn, I know someone has this on her wish list, but I might have to read it again. I need to write Susan Sizemore and BEG for a sequel.
I'll be honest, this is the first book I've read by Ms. Sizemore so I have no idea about her Prime series. With that said, DARK STRANGER is the first in an exciting new series, the Vampire Book Club. Whose in the club? From what I can understand, the characters of her previous books in the Prime series.
This story takes place many many years into the future of the Primes. There are aliens, space crafts, and many worlds. When human diplomat Zoe Pappas is negotiating with the alien Asi for an alliance for her Empire, the Hajim attack. The Hajim are the enemies of everybody, or so it seems.
Zoe is disguised as a Navy Lieutenant and is taken with all the other prisoners to a POW Camp deep underground. Not only are their POW humans, but other races as well, and they don't all get along. In fact, one of the races eats humans for breakfast! Who can sleep at night knowing that's down the hall?
The General of the POW Camp is Matthias "Doc" Raven, who has his own set of rules for the camp. Number one is no escaping. Zoe must find a way to survive in the dark camp, keep her secret, and fight her attraction to the Prime Doc. But soon, the two can't seem to stay away from one another, and when Zoe's secret is revealed, Doc feels he isn't good enough for her and pushes her away. It may mean his death, but he refuses to put her or the Empire in jeopardy because his heart is breaking.
Sizemore's world building is phenomenal! The characters of Zoe and Doc are passionate, but yet realistic. Very sexy scenes! The intensity in the camp will have you wanting to bite your nails until the climatic end. This may be my first Sizemore novel, but it won't be my last. A very unique setting that has set the scene for more.
This story takes place many many years into the future of the Primes. There are aliens, space crafts, and many worlds. When human diplomat Zoe Pappas is negotiating with the alien Asi for an alliance for her Empire, the Hajim attack. The Hajim are the enemies of everybody, or so it seems.
Zoe is disguised as a Navy Lieutenant and is taken with all the other prisoners to a POW Camp deep underground. Not only are their POW humans, but other races as well, and they don't all get along. In fact, one of the races eats humans for breakfast! Who can sleep at night knowing that's down the hall?
The General of the POW Camp is Matthias "Doc" Raven, who has his own set of rules for the camp. Number one is no escaping. Zoe must find a way to survive in the dark camp, keep her secret, and fight her attraction to the Prime Doc. But soon, the two can't seem to stay away from one another, and when Zoe's secret is revealed, Doc feels he isn't good enough for her and pushes her away. It may mean his death, but he refuses to put her or the Empire in jeopardy because his heart is breaking.
Sizemore's world building is phenomenal! The characters of Zoe and Doc are passionate, but yet realistic. Very sexy scenes! The intensity in the camp will have you wanting to bite your nails until the climatic end. This may be my first Sizemore novel, but it won't be my last. A very unique setting that has set the scene for more.
I really enjoyed this book.
I'll be honest, this is the first book I've read by Ms. Sizemore of her Prime series. In this story, Zoe is disguised as a Navy Lieutenant and is taken with all the other prisoners to a POW Camp deep underground. Not only are their POW humans, but other races as well, and they don't all get along. In fact, one of the races eats humans for breakfast! Who can sleep at night knowing that's down the hall?
The General of the POW Camp is Matthias "Doc" Raven, who has his own set of rules for the camp. Number one is no escaping. Zoe must find a way to survive in the dark camp, keep her secret, and fight her attraction to the Prime Doc. But soon, the two can't seem to stay away from one another, and when Zoe's secret is revealed, Doc feels he isn't good enough for her and pushes her away. It may mean his death, but he refuses to put her or the Empire in jeopardy because his heart is breaking.
The whole story line was very easy to follow, the complexity of the different cultures was unique and easy to understand as well. The characters were awesome and everything had a raw basis of sexuality...and it works well for the book. This book is Kenyon's League meets Ward's brotherhood with a splash of Riddick. It is a bit simple, straight forward story without any surprises, but the characters and the vivid writing makes up for it. I tend to skip a lot if the story fizzles out. I know, (insert eye-roll here) but no skipping here. I enjoyed reading every page, despite the fairly predictable story line. Because I liked the characters and the interaction between them. Almost a keeper.
The General of the POW Camp is Matthias "Doc" Raven, who has his own set of rules for the camp. Number one is no escaping. Zoe must find a way to survive in the dark camp, keep her secret, and fight her attraction to the Prime Doc. But soon, the two can't seem to stay away from one another, and when Zoe's secret is revealed, Doc feels he isn't good enough for her and pushes her away. It may mean his death, but he refuses to put her or the Empire in jeopardy because his heart is breaking.
The whole story line was very easy to follow, the complexity of the different cultures was unique and easy to understand as well. The characters were awesome and everything had a raw basis of sexuality...and it works well for the book. This book is Kenyon's League meets Ward's brotherhood with a splash of Riddick. It is a bit simple, straight forward story without any surprises, but the characters and the vivid writing makes up for it. I tend to skip a lot if the story fizzles out. I know, (insert eye-roll here) but no skipping here. I enjoyed reading every page, despite the fairly predictable story line. Because I liked the characters and the interaction between them. Almost a keeper.
