Thea Harrison - Shadow's End

For Beluviel, consort to the Elven High Lord, and Graydon, gryphon and First Sentinel of the Wyr, even the slightest desire for each other is forbidden. But two hundred years ago, after a desperate play to save Beluviel’s stepson left them indebted to the cruel Djinn Malphas, they found their fates inexorably linked together—and the hunger between them growing too strong to ignore…
Two centuries later, with their debt to Malphas coming due, Beluviel and Graydon realize that, if they are to stand any chance of saving their souls, they must once again work together—this time more closely than ever before. But every moment they spend with each other brings them nearer to losing something even more vital—their hearts…

Comment: This is most recent installment in the Elder Races series by author Thea Harrison. So far my reaction to these books has been a case of a hit and miss and books #2, #3 and #8 haven't been as amazing as that, in fact book#2 was quite weak to me. But all the others were great, especially book #4, my favorite and books #1 and #6 and #7 were very good. I had hopes #9, this one would follow the more positive trend...

In this book we finally have Graydon's story, he's one of Dragos' sentinels and a wonderful friend if all the books are correct, so it's not a surprise when he decides to ask for some free time to help someone defeating an enemy who has destroyed a lot of dreams..

Beluviel is an elf and she's quite important to her family and demesne but there's a secret she's been hiding and now, after such a shocking aftermath of the recent attacks, including her demesne, Beluviel finally has the tools to look for her own happiness.

But the enemy to defeat is strong and the help of many friends might be necessary...

I had a good time reading this novel. I'm very glad this can be placed in my personal column of the good books in this series because despite one or two things I liked less, overall, this is a very good story to spend time with.

The story starts with Graydon asking for some free time for personal reasons and soon after we go back in time, around 200 years, to the beginning of a relationship no one has ever imagined could be possible. I found the situation slightly unrealistic, considering the amount of time it took for something to be done, although it has to be said it wouldn't have been easy to do things differently hoping for a positive outcome.

But I think my faith in the book was tested when we go back 200 years and spend several chapters seeing what was happening. I must say this annoyed me a bit. I would have preferred to see things less explicit in that time and just have the main couple, Beluviel and Graydon, deal with things now, talking and discussing this now. 

This is quite the take on the lovers reunited, which usually is a trope I dislike immensely, but somehow I could get both character's POVs here. Still, their relationship felt rather plain and too smooth to be thought as believable. Not only was their connection too fast and too easy when they met, a sort of insta-love link, but now that they are dealing with everything at last, they are almost too polite about it, sex apart, their feelings feel too bland, too organized...after such a long time apart physically and after seeing the other from afar for so long, I expected a bit more reaction, more attitude, something more passionate...

The plot is very simple. Basically Graydon calls some favors, asks for the help of some known characters to deal with the enemy and kill him for ever, so he and Beluviel could finally get their HEA but also the opportunity to help someone else, a person the enemy was using to control and stop them from being together. The task is quickly staged, the bad guy dies but the good guys also have some losses, one of them I really didn't expect! Not a protagonist, but still..

Of course, in the end all ends well.

The main couple wasn't bad together. But the sparks between them were too thin, too contained. I'm glad they found happiness, but the path towards that, despite rocky for obvious (time related) reasons, wasn't as magical or romantic as I expected.

Individually, Graydon is a great guy but we kind of already knew that, his character is all good things but he's not truly exploited as far as he could.

Beluviel is a great lady too, very elegant and polished, but she isn't very memorable to me, her life and personality aren't anything like Grace, from book #4, which captivated me tremendously.

So, this couple is well balanced but not that amazing.

All in all, this is an easy book to read, one of those we can read as stand alone but obviously it all makes so much more sense if we had read the others first.

I think this is a good series in general, but yes, some stories are way better than others. This one reads well, but the romance is not spectacular.

Grade:7/10

Last books read in 2015

I'll take a few sentences to just present a summary of the last three books I've read in 2015, so I can get the blog tidy and on track to this new year's reads.

These three books were interesting, two just slightly better than the third, for specific reasons but I still wanted to share without writing a full comment when in reality there isn't much I can say about them that many others haven't already and certainly in a much more eloquent manner. Anyway, just a few comments about the books and my general opinion about them.

Ever since their scorching affair ended years ago, Julian, the Nightkind King, and Melisande, daughter of the Light Fae Queen, have tried to put the past behind them—and distance between them. But when a war breaks out between Julian and Justine, a powerful Vampyre of the Nightkind council, they find themselves thrown together under treacherous circumstances…
Kidnapped as leverage against Julian, Melly is convinced that her former lover won’t be rushing to her rescue. But when Julian gives himself up to save her, they both end up Justine’s captives. Armed only with their wits and their anger, Melly and Julian must work together to escape. But will they be able to ignore their complicated history, or will the fiery passion that once burned them blaze again?  

Comment: This is the 8th installment in the Elder Races series, featuring Julian and Melisande. Apparently they had an affair/relationship until 20 years ago but he got proof of her cheating and they broke up. But now she's in danger and he still cares and goes out to rescue her. Everything ends up well and they talk and get back together. I thought it was pretty basic, not interesting enough when it came to the plot but the thing I found weaker was their relationship itself, I don't like lovers reunited tropes and this was one of it. I liked Julian but Melly isn't the type of heroine I like, even if she was always decent and worthy. It just didn't feel amazing to me. It was the last book of the year.

Grade: 5/10

* * *

Nefertiti and her younger sister, Mutnodjmet, have been raised in a powerful family that has provided wives to the rulers of Egypt for centuries. Ambitious, charismatic, and beautiful, Nefertiti is destined to marry Amunhotep, an unstable young pharaoh. It is hoped by all that her strong personality will temper the young Amunhotep’s heretical desire to forsake Egypt’s ancient gods, overthrow the priests of Amun, and introduce a new sun god for all to worship.
From the moment of her arrival in Thebes, Nefertiti is beloved by the people. Her charisma is matched only by her husband’s perceived generosity: Amunhotep showers his subjects with lofty promises. The love of the commoners will not be enough, however, if the royal couple is not able to conceive an heir, and as Nefertiti turns her attention to producing a son, she fails to see that the powerful priests, along with the military, are plotting against her husband’s rule. The only person wise enough to recognize the shift in political winds—and brave enough to tell the queen—is her younger sister, Mutnodjmet.
Observant and contemplative, Mutnodjmet has never shared her sister’s desire for power. She yearns

for a quiet existence away from family duty and the intrigues of court. Her greatest hope is to share her life with the general who has won her heart. But as Nefertiti learns of the precariousness of her reign, she declares that her sister must remain at court and marry for political gain, not love. To achieve her independence, Mutnodjmet must defy her sister, the most powerful woman in Egypt—while also remaining loyal to the needs of her family.
Love, betrayal, political unrest, plague, and religious conflict—Nefertiti brings ancient Egypt to life in vivid detail. Fast-paced and historically accurate, it is the dramatic story of two unforgettable women living through a remarkable period in history.  

Comment: I borrowed this book, in Portuguese, from the person who has been friendly enough to let me borrow more books lately. This is a book about Nefertiti told by her sister whose name I can't spell but with the nickname Mutny. So basically the author did some research on Nefertiti and then wrote an historical fiction story, more fiction than historical and told us Neferitit's life story. I think it has too many unknown and made up things to be a proper historical but when it comes to romance and adventure it's fine. Mutny is the narrator of the story and I liked her more than Nefertiti and was more interested in her than the famous sister - who might not be her sister at all, according to historical sites. So bear in mind that this has a lot of author's personal ideas...still it was interesting enough to read, it was fluid and I read it fast. It was also entertaining if not brilliant.

Grade: 7/10

* * *

A foundling raised in a world of humans
Growing up, orphaned Josephine didn’t know who or what she was—just that she was “bad,” an outcast with strange powers. Her baby brother Thaddeus was as perfect as she was flawed; protecting him became her entire life. The day he was taken away began Jo’s transition from angry girl... to would-be superhero... to enchanting, ruthless villain.
A lethally sensual enforcer on a mission
A threat to the Møriør has brought archer Rune the Baneblood to the mortal realm to slay the oldest living Valkyrie. Whether by bow or in bed, he never fails to eliminate his target. Yet before he can strike, he encounters a vampiric creature whose beauty conceals a black heart. With one bite, she pierces him with aching pleasure, taking his forbidden blood - and jeopardizing the secrets of his brethren.
A boundless passion that will lead to sweet ruin...
Could this exquisite female be a spy sent by the very Valkyrie he hunts? Rune knows he must not trust Josephine, yet he’s unable to turn her away. Despite his millennia of sexual conquests, he can’t ignore the unfamiliar longing she arouses deep within him. When Jo betrays the identity of the one man she will die to protect, she and Rune become locked in a treacherous battle of wills that pits ultimate loyalty against unbridled lust.

Comment: Sweet Ruin is the latest installment in the Immortals After Dark series by Kresley Cole. We meet Jo, a sister to Thad, a younger character we've known for some books now. This is Jo's story, about her life, her choices and who and what she is. Jo really doesn't know what she is since she died at 11 and woke up again right after. She randomly meets Rune, a dark fey warrior who wants to kill Nix and the two of them quickly become an item if not intimate right away. Their happiness was planned however and Nix plays a part to make it happen. I liked the book simply because we get to see so many beloved characters. I liked the main romance but to be honest, it wasn't as captivating as some other titles. Some scenes were interesting and now I have even more characters I want to see happy and with mates. The romance wasn't spectacular but as always, it was good to see them get an HEA and be part of a continuous plot that still features so many loving couples.

Grade: 7/10

Thea Harrison - Rising Darkness

In the hospital ER where she works, Mary is used to chaos. But lately, every aspect of her life seems adrift. She’s feeling disconnected from herself. Voices appear in her head. And the vivid, disturbing dreams she’s had all her life are becoming more intense. Then she meets Michael. He’s handsome, enigmatic and knows more than he can say. In his company, she slowly remembers the truth about herself…
Thousands of years ago, there were eight of them. The one called the Deceiver came to destroy the world, and the other seven followed to stop him. Reincarnated over and over, they carry on—and Mary finds herself drawn into the battle once again. And the more she learns, the more she realizes that Michael will go to any lengths to destroy the Deceiver.
Then she remembers who killed her during her last life, nine hundred years ago…Michael.

Comment: I was given this book as a Christmas gift. I admit that I had my eye on it, although it was never a priority. I figured I could wait for some of my friends' opinions before getting my own, but one of said friends gifted it to me and I was able to read it for free.

This is the story of Mary, a doctor who has had several weird dreams and feels lost in her own life. Then one day something happens and she sees herself running for her life. She meets Michael, who helps her and who shows her who she really is. But there's someone hunting them and the reason why is a real mystery until Mary finally remembers it all...

This book is really weird. It shouldn't come as a surprise, considering how the author is what we readers call a "hit or miss". At least for me, personally, she is. Two or three of her books from another series were perfection incarnated while others were boring and annoying. I kind of hoped this one would be amazing, but well, it wasn't, not for me.

The thing is, I still can't explain what this book is about because honestly I never figured it out. I can understand the idea of special beings, very old and hard to be forgotten, being able to reincarnate and live on throughout the times in hopes of saving humanity? from a bad villain bent on destruction but I can't say more because, nothing else is explained. I'm being true, believe me.

The characters are very introspective, all of them. There is a lot of time dedicated to their thoughts and the story isn't big enough, in my opinion, to favorably divide the attention between that and a captivating plot. So, the plot lost this fight and it seemed there just to fill space, which seems absurd but was the feel it gave me.

I really can't explain this, because it's odd. This is UF and it's only the first of the series so I know more things will be reveled in the next installments, however I don't think I'll read them.

It's really hard to explain so I'll stick to things I didn't like and that stood out to me:

- The fact the main character is a doctor is pretty useless. She could be a nomad for all it mattered. Why does an author insert information just to build up a character but that isn't worth anything? Her being a doctor was just a detail, it didn't matter...so the blurb seemed misleading to me, as I expect it to contribute for the plot somehow;

- The introspective moments were supposed to detail things and happenings to better place the reader, but too much too many only made it boring;

- Apparently, Mary and Michael are reincarnations of special angel-like creatures who protect the world from a bad angel/creature. I have no idea if this is so, but it seemed like it from the descriptions and comparisons made throughout the story, but it's annoying to keep reading without any real goal achieved;

-The author clearly has a vision of things but it never came through to the paper because the plot is Mary running, finding Michael and beating the bad guy so they could run again, it's all so unstructured;

- The romance happens too fast even with past lives memories...what about the current lives they have now? No matter how disjointed or away from society, they just....love each other? No enough explanations or settings done to make it believable for me.

All in all, this book really dispointed me. I think the only reason it isn't worst it's because, despitr all, I could see where the author maybe is going with this? But the way it is being done, the elements chosen to build up the story, the way things are structured...unfortunately, for the most part I was bored and annoyed, thus the weak grade. It was just barely positive, because the writing is still there but honestly, the content....urgh.

Grade: 5/10

Thea Harrison - Night's Honor

On the run from her former employer, Tess knows that she’s vulnerable on her own amongst the Elder Races. That’s why she decides to audition to become the human attendant of a powerful Vampyre of the Nightkind demesne. But while her position affords her the safety she seeks, her protector turns out to be more than she bargained for.
The right-hand man of the Nightkind King, Xavier del Torro is both terrifying and alluring. While his true nature frightens Tess, she can’t ignore the appeal of his innate sense of integrity and self-restraint. Thrown into Xavier’s world, Tess must quickly learn to navigate the dangers—both to her life and to her heart. But the biggest threat comes from her own past…

Comment: After the wonderful story which was the previous installment, I kept my hopes for this new book, which I pre ordered months before it was released. And I'm pleased to say it worked for me, because, honestly, I read it in one single day.

This is Tess Graham's story and how she wants to run away from an enemy, someone she can't fight back. She tries to look for a refuge in somebody else's domain and the quickest way is to attend the auction the Vampyres are doing to accept more servants. She hopes to be chosen but during the process she gets disappointed at the whole thing and changes her mind. When she thinks she won't be accepted, she is asked for a interview, but will the unknown be better than what she already knows it's bad?

I liked this story mostly because there was this sense of purpose that was very interesting to follow. The plot was basic and simplistic but it worked for me because it focused on the experiences both main characters were having with the new status in their lives and what was surrounding them.

Tess just wanted a means to escape and she was terrified of what could happen in an environment she wouldn't control, but she slowly started to understand the way of life in Del Torro's house and even got to know him. With time, her reactions seemed more believable and reasonable. I liked how she changed her point of view about several things concerning vampyres and Xavier himself. I really think the best thing in the book was how Tess discovered how to trust and fall into her feelings.

Xavier has a past he regrets and those around him always tried to make him look bigger and worse than he is. In the vampyre world that helped him but his loyalty gained him the trust of the vampyres' leader. Making Tess his employee should have routine but she intrigued him so much, his own behavior changed a bit too. What I liked best was how he didn't turn into alpha mode or even worse macho mode after meeting Tess. He kept being the kind of person others respect and look for but he didn't change his all personality over her. I liked how balanced his character was and how much more credible he felt like on the page.

The romance was ok, I was actually more interested in their personal development, but the romance as very subtle and took some time for Tess to trust him completely. I think this is better done than what an insta-love would have been.

Now, many readers complained about the plot. Sure, someone like Xavier should have seen some things and problems coming, considering how old and knowledgeable about power and control he was, but what seemed to bother them more was how Tess is escaping a situation and then she solves it on her own, with just circumstantial help from Xavier and Julian, the vampyre leader, to the point where everything was solved in two pages. In a way, i get that, I was hoping for a bigger showdown and even more, a much more intricate solution. Ok, sometimes simple is better but in this case a bit of drama wouldn't be that bad. Still, I don't think it's reason to down grade the story.

In the end, for me, this book worked well and I was very happy with the majority of scenes and developments. Sure, some things could been different, and the romance could have been more passionate at the end and the end itself could have used some more romance, but if there's a word for this novel is balance, and I think the story had the perfect amount of it.

Grade: 8/10

Thea Harrison - Kinked

As a harpy, Sentinel Aryal is accustomed to dealing with hate, but Sentinel Quentin Caeravoron manages to inspire in her a burning ire unlike anything she’s ever known. Aryal believes the new Sentinel to be a criminal, and vows to take him out as soon as the opportunity arises. But the harpy’s incessant wrath has pushed Quentin to the limit, and forces him to make a deadly vow of his own.
To put an end to the conflict, Dragos, Lord of the Wyr, sends them on a reconnaissance mission to the Elven land of Numenlaur. Forced to work together, Aryal and Quentin’s mutual antagonism escalates. Each fight draws forth more passion, culminating in an explosively sexual confrontation. But when their quest reveals real danger, Aryal and Quentin must resolve their differences in ways beyond the physical, before the entire Wyr is threatened.

Comment: This is the most recent installment in the Elder Races series by the author. I've read the first 4 books being the first and the 4th wonderful and the one in between really boring, in particular the second one. I've skipped the 5th because I didn't want to go again into the same story but this one has been in my radar since I've read the blurb, I was immediately curious over the chemistry between the main couple that surely would sizzle the pages.

Therefore, this is Aryal and Quentin's romance. They seem to have a wonderful chemistry..for hate. They don't hide how much they dislike the other and secretly plot ways to kill the other. Things reach a point where Dragos puts them together in a mission to rescue a group of fey in a land recently devastated. While traveling to the place and fighting a surprising enemy, Aryal and Quentin actually talk and realize the other is exactly what they need to find happiness...

I was very happy with this book. There's always the fear any story by this author is a repetition of the experience with the second book, which was such a disappointment I can't even think about it. But this book was wonderful, fast paced all the way and structured in a way I enjoyed a lot because it felt balanced, meaning all the time dedicated to the character's inner thoughts, their romance, the plot, the going on with the rest of the world, all these things always went forward with a good time and development. The story not only felt in motion all the time, but it also allowed the reader to feel the time was well worth it and definitely not boring to go through.

The plot is based on a mission and it had many interesting elements, I was eager to see if they could find out what happened and if they could help the fey that were missing, people who had gone before to look for clues about what had happened. the reason was both imaginative and sad...because a feeling was the base of everything and sometimes the more we look for a way to solve a problem, the more we might loose ourselves in that quest. Still, the other side of the book, the idea not the romance, was quite well thought and an adventure I enjoyed seeing develop.

As for the romance, well obviously I loved it! I like several kinds of plots, but when the protagonists don't seem to get along but of course that means their relationship is doomed for bliss ever after, is one of my favorites. I love the notion time and common experiences and reluctance can be little things that ultimately unite people and they can see sometimes first impressions aren't all there is. Aryal had good reasons to hate Quentin but I confess she was a bit too much into her hate. Quentin seemed to hate as a reply to Aryal's behavior, something they sort of worked out after a conversation without much fight. From then on they seemed to see in the other worthy characteristics. Then feelings made an appearance besides lust and I was quite glad with the way their romance progressed. They believably went from hate to appreciation and love and in a way that didn't seem rushed or silly. I think the author did well in this. In the end, I liked them together a lot.

I was impressed with this book. I was very glad the author did such a good job and I was positively surprised with the plot and the relationship between the protagonists. All elements seemed to work well together in this book. I hope future stories go along this style and structure as well.
Grade: 8/10

Thea Harrison - Oracle's Moon

When Grace Andreas's sister, Petra, and her husband are both killed, Grace inherits the Power and responsibilities of the Oracle of Louisville, as well as her sister's two young children--neither of which she is prepared for. Then Khalil, Demonkind and Djinn Prince of House Marid, decides to make himself a part of the household both as guardian and counterpoint to Grace's impudence towards the Elder Races.

Comment: Some books just leave me wondering how authors can be so bipolar in their work?? How is it possible for them to write things so extreme in its differences that one is left thinking, is this by the same person?
Well, this author does that. She wrote one of the most boring books I've read (Storm's Heart) and now, in the same series, she writes this Oracle's Moon that was one of the most beautifully written romances ever! How can this be? Thoughts for later.

This is the story of Grace, the newest Oracle, left with the Power after her sister died. Then there's Kahlil, the Djinn that vows to protect Grace's nephew and niece. Kahlil and Grace don't get along that well at first but when Grace's feels threatened by all the Elder Races unknowns she still hadn't time to find out about, she kind of requests Kahlil's help with the children and this is something he won't refuse.
I loved that they didn't get along in the beginning and then...love! lol
The story starts right after the end of Serpent's Kiss and we're left wondering how Grace and Kahlil might fall in love because they really don't like each other but then one thing after another they realize the other is so much more than they thought and with trust and respect comes love.
I loved it! A classical romance, beautiful to watch and to go along. The storyline makes sense and it's appealing, interesting, moves along nicely and offers very god scenes.
The romance is obviously perfect (in my opinion) and doesn't happen right away, it's something believable, how I loved watching this!
The plot of full of twists about Grace's power and she does some things that endeared her to me and to Kahlil and it was great. I felt that everything fit perfectly in this story, there wasn't left any piece to complete the picture, it still amazes me how everything felt, sounded and was perfect!
I finished the book last week but I just can't avoid looking at my favorite scenes, I just get so happy over some things...this books is great! Truly, it is. This is why I feel so bad because of book #2...it just seems so unlikely that this is the same author...
Oh well, I'm basking in the glow of the wonder that is Oracle's Moon...it is worth all and every penny. I don't even know what to say about it that would make it justice, just...go get it.

Thea Harrison - The Serpent's Kiss

Recently, Vampire Queen Carling's power has become erratic, forcing her followers to flee. Wyr sentinel Rune is drawn to the ailing Queen and decides to help find a cure for the serpent's kiss-the vampyric disease that's killing her. With their desire for each other escalating they will have to rely on each other if they have any hope of surviving the serpent's kiss...

Comment: After such a disappointing book #2 in this author's series, I wasn't that thrilled to read this one, although in the end of Storm's Heart the couple of this 3rd book seemed promising. I'm glad I decided to insist (not counting the fact I already had the book anyway) because this story was much better. Not to the perfection of the first book, but better than the second, for sure. Carling is a very old vampire and she thinks she is close to dying because her powers are getting erratic and sometimes she looses conscientious thought and gets "lost" in her own mind. Rune is one of Dragos' sentinels and has a pretty much laid back life, but he's very concerned about his friends, so this is why he asked Carling for a favor in the end of the second book. So this 3rd book starts with him going to Carling to pay for it and fully expecting something that will take a long time but after a strange meeting she says the favor is paid. Still, Rune lingers because he is intrigued with Carling's problem and in the path to help her, they fall in love. I think this book was better mainly because the two main characters have chemistry and the actions they take to help Carling make the story move along which means there's less boring moments than in the 2nd book. I confess I was hoping for a different take in their relationship, but due to the storyline itself it couldn't be. I felt it was too straight, too narrow, I think I wish it could've allowed for more fun in their falling in love, the way it is, it doesn't feel like that. Perhaps it's the fact they're both beings with many years on them, but sometimes there could have been more funny moments than the ones that were. I liked seeing them fall in love though and trying to find a cure to Carling's problem. I was happy to see how simple is was after all that time. This means they can be happy sooner. This 3rd book seemed to have a better dialogue too, so things didn't look so boring. In the end the next couple is introduced and I was so eager to read their story right away, thankfully it won't take too long because the book is almost out and I've just read a review saying how amazing it is, yay. About this one, I'm ok with it, there's still some things in there I'd change but well...this happens to all of us while reading a book that isn't perfection, right?

Thea Harrison - Storm's Heart

Able to wield thunder and lightning, wyr sentinel Tiago Black Eagle has ruled the skies for centuries. His massive build and thunderous power make him one of the wyr's best weapons. And he's the one sent to protect Tricks, heir to the Dark Fae throne, when she's almost assassinated in Chicago. Soon Tiago and Tricks will fall prey to the stormy hunger that engulfs them-a passion that will shake the very foundation of all the worlds.

Comment: Before reading this book I've read some reviews and most of them (if not all) said that it was strange how fast Tiago and Tricks fall in love considering how long they have met and how it never happened anything between them to indicate attraction much less romantic feelings.
Now that I read the book I must say I agree... it was very strange how suddenly they went from friendly work partners to desperate love...and the fact the author kept saying that and still pushed them together...I just think there's no real chemestry between them, I wasn't convinced of it.
The storyline, I also must say, was pretty boring until page 90 or something. All those doubts Tricks had and Tiago going after her, it was all tiresome to read, it took me too long to go past that. After this, the story seemed to evolve more and the plot gained some interest with more characters showing up.
After such a great 1st book, I was expecting more. One of the things I loved the most was the constant information about all the kinds of beings that existed and in this book we don't get tha same "discovery" sense, but I was curious about some characters and will read the following books because of that.
In this book, the main focus is Tiago and Tricks's fight to accept each other. Like I said, the attraction wasn't convincing therefore everything else was also a bit too tasteless and the end...if you read it you know what I mean, it was just WTF? Once again I didn't think it was that believable and I think if the author had made things differently in terms of placing them in a different place, methaphorically speaking, towards Tricks new position, than perhaps the feeling of distance wouldnt be this strong to me...I'm not sure I'm explaining myself well, but I feel they're too far away from everything else because it sems they're too alone, you know...Anyway, perhaps it's just me.
Like I said, I'm curious about the protagonists of the next book, so I'll keep reading, but I hope it's better than this one.

Thea Harrison - Dragon Bound

Half-human and half-wyr, Pia Giovanni spent her life keeping a low profile among the wyrkind and avoiding the continuing conflict between them and their dark Fae enemies. But after being blackmailed into stealing a coin from the hoard of a dragon, Pia finds herself targeted by one of the most powerful-and passionate-of the Elder races.

Comment: I loved this first book in a new series. It has all the things I love in a book: good characters, an interesting and developped world, secondary characters that aren't there just because, misterious tidbits about each character, a good plot and of course, great romance.
I loved the world, the whole idea of all the mythological creatures walking and living among humans. Plus, I loved that the author included beings we don't usually see even in paranormal, like the gryphons and the thunderbird. I can't wait for the next books, I need to read more about that amazing world. Even if the romance lacks soemthing, if the worl building keeps up like this, the series is already a winner.
About the romance in this book, I liked it, the pace wasn't too fast, which allowed us to enjoy the character's falling in love slowly. Then the things about them were also slowly showing up and the end was sweet. I liked everything that happened to them in the book.
The world also presents a fresh voice in interection between characters, for instance, they talk! Like, secondary characters aren't there just to fill up space, I liked the dialogue but much more the fact it existed in the first place.
I can't wait for the next one.