D.B. Reynolds - The Return

Rachel Fortier is a much sought-after expert when it comes to exotic planets — especially the deadly kind. So when she’s hired by Earth Fleet’s most respected scientist to join a mission to the tightly closed planet Harp, it’s a dream come true. Until she discovers their mission is to capture shifters and sell them to the Military.
Shifter Aidan Devlin is on patrol far from his clan when he sees a shuttlecraft landing where it definitely shouldn’t be. As the invaders emerge, he’s surprised to see a lone lovely woman, who doesn’t seem to belong. But when he’s captured and put in a cage, he has no one but her to help him escape.
Drawn together by a hunger they can’t resist, and desperate to discover who betrayed Harp, Aidan and Rachel first have to survive a deadly journey to the city. But once there, they find themselves confronted by a conspiracy that goes even deeper. Because Harp is harboring a traitor. And he’s willing to destroy their world — and everything in it — to get what he wants.

Comment: This is the sequel to Shifter Planet, a 2015 release by author DB Reynolds. I've read that book in 2019 and was positively surprised, after having tried two other series by the author which didn't work out for me. This sequel, titled The Return, was published precisely in 2019 but only now was I able to get to it. Or, should I say, did I remember it!

Anyway, in this second book we appropriately return to the planet Harp and this time follow heroine Rachel Fortier, an expert who accepted the invitation by a renown scientist to travel to Harp and study the animal life in the planet. She suspects her family name might have something to do with it but the curiosity won her over and she traveled with other ship members who don't seem to have such a specific goal as hers but she doesn't care. When they arrive on the planet at last, she finally discovers her name and her person were used to give credence to an illegal mission and she does her best to help the gorgeous cat the crew apprehends. She also plans on telling someone about this.
What she doesn't know is that the cat is actually shifter Aidan, and he quickly understands what's going on. In disguise, after Rachel helps saving him, he decides to go with her through the forest of Harp, pretending he can guide her, to check if she knows more than what she said about the whole mess. But will the planet allow them to survive?

For those who like adventure and romance this is certainly a great book. I think it was a very good sequel to the first book as well and despite having read that other one three years ago, I still remembered enough to follow the plot of this one without having to re-read the other or parts of the previous one. In that regard, the author has done a good job making the sequel seem without problems, quite fluid.

The plot is slightly different but the base is the same as of the first book: the most important thing is to preserve the planet and maintain why it is a healthy planet and why who and what is there should not be seen as a means for money or wealth, especially the unique trees and the shifters. Of course the overall story would have to lead to this, that someone on Earth or the rich people in the fleet would want to gain something by having real shifters for their (war) needs but throughout the book we get clues that, as it happens right now in our reality, the beauty and value of something is how it might be worthy and not how much money might be gained by it.

I liked the fact the vibe of the story was very similar to the other one, and in part that is why I liked it. The inclusion of a villain who wants to gain something isn't a novelty but there were some details about this plan which added interesting layers to the story such as the fact the villain had been living in Harp for a while and instead of seeing it as an enriching experience, saw it only as money potential.

Rachel and Aidan made for an interesting couple because they have things in common, they both like nature and the outdoors and Rachel is pretty much another version of Amanda, the heroine of the first book. She has all the necessary positive thoughts and feelings regarding nature and ecosystems and animals and such, and she likes walking, she is resourceful and clever and strong and has all the qualities Amanda had to survive in this planet, even though with some differences. Personality wise, of course she is fierce and confident and wants to do the right thing.

I think that, despite them being an obvious good match, a lot of it is set on Rachel being so easily described as someone who will fit in. There's no real conflict between them nor any real adaptation of Rachel to the planet beyond the basics, because it's obvious the aim was for them to work out from the start. We do have glimpses of their personalities and I'm quite glad they will certainly be happy together but I kind of wish the author had made Rachel a bit different in terms of personality or abilities, so that the HEA with someone not like Aiden - in personality and tastes too - would make their HEA even more special.

The plot is solved in a very predictable way, although the fate of the villain was quite ingenious... the rest is done well enough and we get the idea everything will work out well or will be hopeful for the planet, for the characters... things are wrapped up neatly but I also got the notion if more stories are to come out one day, the author left enough threads to make it happen without making it seem something is unsolved here.

All in all, another good effort and fascinating read, at least.

Grade: 7/10

D.B. Reynolds - Shifter Planet

Specialist Amanda Sumner is one of the first to make contact on the Earth-like planet Harp and discovers she's the only Earthling who can hear the trees sing in the strange forest. Determined to remain and learn more of the planet’s secrets, Amanda sets out to become part of the elite Guild there...
But there is a secret involving some Guild members–one that could get her killed.
Shifter Rhodry de Mendoza wants the Earthlings off his planet before they destroy it—even if that means denying what he feels for the fierce and lovely Amanda. The pair is thrown together in what becomes a fight for their lives. And they might just lose everything–including each other–in their battle for the right to live in peace.

Comment: This book was published in 2015 and I got it months after but only decided to read it. Apparently, I picked a good moment because I just saw there's a second book going to be published soon and I liked this one enough to want to read a follow-up installment.

In this sci-fi story it's the year 4668 and there is, of course, inter-planetary travel and the universe has become somewhat closer. 

The protagonist Amanda Sumner was born in a space ship, she's never been to Earth but her favorite activity is to explore the planets she visits with her ship/crew. Amanda is a specialist and a huge part of her work is related to the planets' characteristics which means the day they stumble on Harp, a planet very similar to Earth, she is beyond curious to go out. In fact, she is even personally surprised with what she finds for she is the only one who can actually listen to the trees.

Welcoming the group and agreeing on some studies and exchanges are the Harp representatives, descendants from a old colony of humans. Amanda decides to stay in the planet for a while, hoping to learn more about it but she also feels her determination and abilities are put into question when she is denied entrance to a Guild in the planet, whose members can travel at will through the huge forests she feels to compelled by.

One of the members who seems to always be in her way is Rhodry de Mendoza and she does think him attractive but after making certain she can indeed try to be part of the Guild, there are still many secrets on the planet some people don't want her finding...

When this author's books got to be more known and people started to read her vampire novels, I too tried one, since I liked PNR a lot a decade ago and for a few years I devoured the genre. To be honest, the book I've read didn't convince me, nor did another one from a different series I also read. This means I was not very eager going into this one but I do try to get books out of the pile..

Anyway, this turned out to be a good surprise and probably the fact I prefer shifter PNR to vampires nowadays did have an impact on my appreciation.

I would say this story is a lot more focused on the adventure part of the plot rather than simple world building or romance developments.

The Harp planet is seductive, has secrets but interesting elements that make it seem alike Earth and that simplifies the images one needs to have an idea of what it looked like. I must say the add of details about the planet felt effortless and fluid.

The descriptions give a good enough idea of what things are supposed to look like but at the same time there are still several things alluded to which I felt were just a bit out of reach (for instance, the constant comments on Rhody's life in the mountains area which we never got to have as part of the actual story).

The planet is intriguing and I liked what the author, in general, made out if.The society rules seem easy enough to understand and most of the plot is focused on Amanda's attempts to be part of the Guild and not much interaction between her and the other members of the ship who remained. Part of this was done to suit her independent personality and now the second book will come out, I assume for plot reasons for it seems certain details are going to be exploited then.

As for Amanda's adventures, they obviously offered a huge clue on how resilient and adaptable she is and in tune with the planet she was too (like her way to understand the trees proved). There are many details of her adventures to create a good image of what it could have been like for her to go through such extenuating trials while using her intelligence and abilities.

Then, the romance. It becomes clear from the start Amanda and Rhodry feel attracted to one another and during the time it takes them to solve their situation in the wilderness, something that occupies a large part of the plot, they become closer until they just agree on being together. I think they make a good couple and as often happens, their personalities complement each other and I could envision their HEA.

I just think that Amanda was too confident on their sexual relationship since it was the first time she was in a new planet I sort of would have preferred her to be more cautious or not as free with her intimacy expectations. When things are finally solved, they admit their feelings at the end of the book but it was so rushed! I wanted an epilogue to show how they could build a life together.

I think this was a story that touched many good points, the interesting and developed at the right moments characters, the setting is refreshing, the shifter element was also fascinating, the descriptions and some situations too. The romance and some world building felt too precise, too easy to fit an established idea the author might have had and I missed a bit more spontaneity, emotion and feelings behind some action scenes.

I hope the next book can add a bit more information not available in this one regarding some things in Harp.

Grade: 8/10

DB Reynolds - Damian

Damian Stephanos honed his skills in battles fought with magic as much as swords. Caught by a deadly spell that left him trapped for centuries in darkness and obscurity, he is finally freed, only to discover that his enemy still lives. Determined to find him—and to free his brothers in arms—he first must fulfill his blood debt to the woman who released him from his torment. Unfortunately, being so close to this enticing female is another type of torment altogether . . .
Cassandra “Casey” Lewis is a hunter. Possessing the rare ability to sense magic, she spends most of her time shadowing arcane collectors, and more often than not, stealing the dangerous artifacts she pursues. Her job is risky, especially when she’s stealing from one of the most powerful sorcerers alive. But having a gorgeous warrior by her side is a definite bonus. He’s great in a fight . . . and in other places, too.
Following a trail of dead bodies, the two of them must join forces to track down the sorcerer who cursed Damian, and who now plans to turn an ordinary magical device into a deadly weapon. Risking everything, including their hearts, they’re about to discover that trusting each other might be the hardest thing of all.

Comment: This is the story chosen for my book club this month. It's the first of a new series by author DB Reynolds and it is a spin off the successful series Vampires in America so many fans enjoy.

I've read one book in that series so I'm not familiar with the moment when this series might have started but this works very well as a standalone and no references are made to the point where you would need to have read the other series to start this one.

This new series focuses, apparently, on a group of warriors led by Nicodemos, known as Nick now. In ancient times, an enemy has done a spell and turned four warriors into stone with the bonus that only a special combination of factors could "unlock" the curse/spell. Somehow, when this story begins, the heroine Casey brings Damian back to life and he is bound to help her defeat her enemies. Therefore, they join forces and try to recover a talisman she was in run to protect but lost. While going away to complete their mission, they must work together and be a team. But can their team last or will things between them change when all is over?

This is my second story by this author. Many fans say amazing things about her most successful series called Vampires in America but sincerely, after having read the first book in that series I have to say I don't share the same enthusiasm. Therefore, I was pretty reluctant to try this one and I imagined it would be more of the same. Sadly, to me, it more or less was. I do think this is a better story but several items made me think it wasn't very good.

I'll simply enumerate the reasons why this didn't exactly worked for me...

1) The concept was interesting but the plot wasn't. I had the feeling nothing really happened in terms of plot development and I can't understand if it was because there wasn't much to go on or if the focus simply wasn't on it, if there wasn't much balance to sustain the chase after the talisman while Casey and Damian dealt with personal issues.

2) The individual characterization of both protagonists left a lot to be desired. Damian doesn't have much to support him for more than one reason, but especially because he has been dormant for millennia. He is a good guy, he has been a great warrior and friend but I didn't get to know anything about him special enough to make it a need. I was fine knowing or not knowing but then his character didn't seem very well built.

Casey was more intriguing, the focus was clearly on her and she is more intriguing but her attitude is so.... I understand she is a tough girl, used to be independent and to be confidant in who she is, in her abilities, but some of her attitude towards life is too harsh and I didn't think I'd like to meet her in real life if she existed. She's not a bad person but some of her choices annoyed me.

3) The main couple's relationship isn't one. That cannot be a relationship, they just met, they didn't, they shouldn't have gone into sex right away no matter what! Why are books nowadays all about insta-sex, even tough or self confidant people must have some doubt before embarking on personal relationships and being sexually vulnerable with someone else. Come on... well, it's the way it is, I didn't find it funny or amazing and that made the whole story look even weirder because why bother being the professional you claim you are if you're too busy thinking the guy is good in bed...

4) Details. So many little things that should have been used to enhance the story and not make it weak. Nico and Damian haven't seen each other for ages, Nico feels guilty since ever and as soon as he hears Damian is alive does he let go of everything to meet him? No.

Casey is a professional and when she knows a clue was given to Damian and not her, does she stop to think strategically? No, she goes and acts stupidly alone.

We spent time listening about how this was, how that was in the past for Damian and Nico but does that help the characters grow? No, it was just noise.

I could go on to even smaller things but I'd repeat myself.

I think this story has good elements that written about well, could have been a good story but maybe it's just me, I don't think the author has the best style for my taste. Se sure works out well for many, though. I'm still thinking about a third try, about a different series again...if that one doesn't work when I finally get to it then...stop. There are way to many books in my pile to be read.

Grade: 5/10

DB Reynolds - Raphael

Malibu, California-home to rock-and-roll gods and movie stars, the beautiful, the rich . . . and vampires. Powerful and charismatic, Raphael is a Vampire Lord, one of the few who hold the power of life and death over every vampire in existence. Thousands call him Master and have pledged absolute loyalty on their very lives. But when, in a brazen and deadly daylight attack, a gang of human killers kidnaps the one female vampire he'd give his life for, Raphael turns to a human investigator to find his enemies before it's too late. Cynthia Leighton is smart, tough and sexy, a private investigator and former cop who's tired of spying on cheating spouses and digging out old bank accounts. When Raphael asks for her help in tracking down the kidnappers, Cyn's happy to accept. But she soon realizes her greatest danger comes not from the humans, but from Raphael himself. Battling Russian mobsters and treacherous vampires, and betrayed by those they trusted, Cyn and Raphael find themselves fighting for their lives while caught up in a passion of blood and violence that is destined to destroy them both.

Comment: In one of my book clubs we got this one to read. I was rather expectant because some people have said good things about it and I got curious.

The story is about Cynthia, a private investigator whose family has possessions and a position in society but she's never cared about that and pursued a job in law enforcement.
Then there's Raphael, he's a vampire master, an old one like usual, and one of his family has been kidnapped. He knows the ones who did it are human although it surely happened by the orders of vampires. So, he decides to pursue this as humans do and looks for a PI to discover the humans and therefore, leads to the vampires involved.
When Raphael and Cynthia meet, there's an obvious attraction between them. Raphael wants Cynthia for his own right away, although vampires live too long to form attachments to humans and Cynthia is a free spirit, too addicted to her independence to stick with him. But deep feelings start to develop and their actions show they're not as indifferent to feelings and cynical about the whole thing as it looks.

The good thing about this book is the type of hierarchy on which vampires live on. Not that it is very different from the usual, but it's interesting to see how a family is formed, how they deal with each other, how the more powerful ones see the weaker ones and vice-versa.
Unfortunately, to be quite honest - and after some time after having read the book - that was the only good thing about the book. Some of the secondary characters look promising but I'm not sure their stories would be that special and I'm seriously doubting I'll buy more books in this series.
The two main characters have some dept, which is good, but their attitude in live...in his case to show everyone how powerful he is and how cold he is to others except lovers, and for Cynthia how she's so independent and she doesn't need anyone and only has sex because she can and how she does what she wants because she has money..well, they didn't appeal to me. Their characterization was so evidenced that when thy showed a bit of vulnerability it sounded ridiculous and a cliché. I accept hard core characters pretty well, but if they're to connect with me, I need them to be vulnerable from the start, I need them to feel emotions all the time, somehow, not just because it's convenient to the plot as it felt like in this book.
The story didn't end with an HEA. I know there's a continuation but I don't feel the will to read it, you know? I can understand the appeal of the story, the magical idea of a vampire and a human, and usually I like this paranormal stories...but in this case, I think it lacked something, to me at least. All things considered, it was a great effort from the author and being her first novel it had indeed many elements to make the story good, but I think she kind of lost herself in trying to make her heroine something too untouchable, I don't know how to explain it well.
Perhaps one day I might try more books, but for now, this was enough.