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Graced #4
Bitten
The city of Pinton has never been safe...and now a serial killer is on the loose.
Doctor Alice Reive is the city's coroner, and she's determined to help find the murderer. Enlisting the assistance of the Honorable Dante Kipling and city guard Elle Brown, they race to track down the killer, before another victim dies.
Hannah Romanov - Dante's missing twin sister - has spent hundreds of years living on an isolated mountain. But her quiet life is thrown into chaos after she discovers a baby left in the wilds to die. Hannah will do anything to ensure the infant's survival, even if it means traveling to the worst place in the world for her - Pinton.
Doctor Alice Reive is the city's coroner, and she's determined to help find the murderer. Enlisting the assistance of the Honorable Dante Kipling and city guard Elle Brown, they race to track down the killer, before another victim dies.
Hannah Romanov - Dante's missing twin sister - has spent hundreds of years living on an isolated mountain. But her quiet life is thrown into chaos after she discovers a baby left in the wilds to die. Hannah will do anything to ensure the infant's survival, even if it means traveling to the worst place in the world for her - Pinton.
- GenresParanormalRomanceFantasy
410 pages, Paperback
First published June 22, 2017
About the author
Amanda Pillar
46 books146 followersAmanda Pillar is addicted to writing. Not in the fun kind of way, more in the has-to-get-her-fix kind of way. But that's a good thing, right? It means she's busy working on her next book and has plans for many more to come, all with lots of snark. Because snark.
Amanda has had almost a dozen books published, alongside a variety of short stories, as well as solo and co-editing over half a dozen anthologies. People say it's because she's an 'over-achiever' but, in reality, Amanda doesn't understand the concept of 'relaxation'. (Please feel free to explain it to her. Use small words.) Compounding this issue, Amanda has commenced work on a PhD. Because she's crazy.
Oh, and in her day job, she's an archaeologist. (And no, she doesn't get chased around site by rogue boulders, thank the flying spaghetti monster. She doesn't even want to imagine the OH&S paperwork THAT would cause).
Amanda has had almost a dozen books published, alongside a variety of short stories, as well as solo and co-editing over half a dozen anthologies. People say it's because she's an 'over-achiever' but, in reality, Amanda doesn't understand the concept of 'relaxation'. (Please feel free to explain it to her. Use small words.) Compounding this issue, Amanda has commenced work on a PhD. Because she's crazy.
Oh, and in her day job, she's an archaeologist. (And no, she doesn't get chased around site by rogue boulders, thank the flying spaghetti monster. She doesn't even want to imagine the OH&S paperwork THAT would cause).
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 10, 2017
We are all fascinated by what the future will bring, an amazing land of scientific advances or maybe our descendants will destroy the world we have left them. Even thinking about 100 years from now is mind boggling, imagine going thousands of years and finding a dark and dangerous world that is worse off than our era. Humans have become meals on foot for vampires and werewolves, no one is safe if you don’t suck blood or go furry.
When a serial killer hits the town of Pinton, he/she/it must be found before more deaths occur. Tensions will run high because it wasn’t a human, it was a vampire who has met his death. Follow the clues as coroner Alice, city guard, Elle and the mayor, Dante are on the hunt for the monster with death on his agenda.
If this isn’t enough to prick your curiosity, and hermit vampire who is half-graced must come down from her personal fortress of solitude when she finds an infant abandoned in her woods. Who would abandon their child to die? What kind of monster could be so cruel? Graced with the power to touch an object and discover the history of those who have touched it, she discovers something that forces her to seek out her mother, but will that journey be fruitful?
Two events, seemingly unrelated may hold the key to that uncovers more than anyone bargained for. Add two more characters to the list, one a comic relief expert and one, a two amazing to be believed man of quiet honor and each page just gets better!
Enter a future time unlike anything you could imagine as Amanda Pillar brings BITTEN to life in a dark world with few bright moments. Ms. Pillar has cast the mold for her world and begins the polishing it to a sheen that will mesmerize paranormal readers with its unusual twists, and jagged turns. Kick back and fall in love with another paranormal tale that adds suspense, romance and a cast of characters that is sure to keep you entertained.
I received this copy from Amanda Pillar in exchange for my honest review.
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
Series: the Graces Series - Book 2
Publisher: Pronoun (January 6, 2017)
Publication Date: January 6, 2017
Genre: Paranormal
Print Length: 395 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
When a serial killer hits the town of Pinton, he/she/it must be found before more deaths occur. Tensions will run high because it wasn’t a human, it was a vampire who has met his death. Follow the clues as coroner Alice, city guard, Elle and the mayor, Dante are on the hunt for the monster with death on his agenda.
If this isn’t enough to prick your curiosity, and hermit vampire who is half-graced must come down from her personal fortress of solitude when she finds an infant abandoned in her woods. Who would abandon their child to die? What kind of monster could be so cruel? Graced with the power to touch an object and discover the history of those who have touched it, she discovers something that forces her to seek out her mother, but will that journey be fruitful?
Two events, seemingly unrelated may hold the key to that uncovers more than anyone bargained for. Add two more characters to the list, one a comic relief expert and one, a two amazing to be believed man of quiet honor and each page just gets better!
Enter a future time unlike anything you could imagine as Amanda Pillar brings BITTEN to life in a dark world with few bright moments. Ms. Pillar has cast the mold for her world and begins the polishing it to a sheen that will mesmerize paranormal readers with its unusual twists, and jagged turns. Kick back and fall in love with another paranormal tale that adds suspense, romance and a cast of characters that is sure to keep you entertained.
I received this copy from Amanda Pillar in exchange for my honest review.
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
Series: the Graces Series - Book 2
Publisher: Pronoun (January 6, 2017)
Publication Date: January 6, 2017
Genre: Paranormal
Print Length: 395 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
January 17, 2017
Book – Bitten
Author – Amanda Pillar
Series – The Graced Series #2
Publication Date – January 2017
Genre – Urban Fantasy/PNR
Rating – 4.5 out of 5 Stars
Complimentary copy generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
My Thoughts - Story
Well, Ms. Pillar did it again…I absolutely love the way she writes a story…especially because the story isn’t weighed down by drama or angst from a relationship. Instead, the main characters spend the majority of the story building up to the climax of getting together.
So, not only do we enjoy the adventure and action of a fantasy with a dose of thrill but the relationships bring about final ingredient to a perfect story. More or less like icing on the cake.
Another thing I really like about Ms. Pillar’s stories is her “realist” writing of characters. We don’t have the perfect heroine or hero, instead they are “real” with problems that they deal with.
I enjoyed these characters ---- Alice, Hannah and Byrne…and we get a mix of vampire, werebear and other magical powers…plus we get to see how the main characters from Graced is making out!
Reason for Reading – Author Request/Blog Tour
Story – 5 out of 5 Stars
Steam – 4 out of 5 Stars
Angst – 4 out of 5 Stars
Writing – 5 out of 5 Stars
Content Flow – 5 out of 5 Stars
Would Read More from Author? Yes
Recommend To – Lovers of Urban Fantasy!
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
Author – Amanda Pillar
Series – The Graced Series #2
Publication Date – January 2017
Genre – Urban Fantasy/PNR
Rating – 4.5 out of 5 Stars
Complimentary copy generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
My Thoughts - Story
Well, Ms. Pillar did it again…I absolutely love the way she writes a story…especially because the story isn’t weighed down by drama or angst from a relationship. Instead, the main characters spend the majority of the story building up to the climax of getting together.
So, not only do we enjoy the adventure and action of a fantasy with a dose of thrill but the relationships bring about final ingredient to a perfect story. More or less like icing on the cake.
Another thing I really like about Ms. Pillar’s stories is her “realist” writing of characters. We don’t have the perfect heroine or hero, instead they are “real” with problems that they deal with.
I enjoyed these characters ---- Alice, Hannah and Byrne…and we get a mix of vampire, werebear and other magical powers…plus we get to see how the main characters from Graced is making out!
Reason for Reading – Author Request/Blog Tour
Story – 5 out of 5 Stars
Steam – 4 out of 5 Stars
Angst – 4 out of 5 Stars
Writing – 5 out of 5 Stars
Content Flow – 5 out of 5 Stars
Would Read More from Author? Yes
Recommend To – Lovers of Urban Fantasy!
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
November 8, 2017
I received a free copy via netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
I found this book very difficult to get into, probably because I had not read the first in the series.
But was I glad I persevered.
This was a brilliant world with great characters.
I will definitely be reading more in this series.
I found this book very difficult to get into, probably because I had not read the first in the series.
But was I glad I persevered.
This was a brilliant world with great characters.
I will definitely be reading more in this series.
February 6, 2017
If you’ve read my reviews of the other works set in the Graced universe, you’ll know how much I love this universe. The books exist somewhere in the crossover of paranormal romance/urban fantasy – but if you’re turned off immediately by the mention of any of these genres, I encourage you to read anyway. Pillar’s use of even the most well-worn of tropes is fresh and new, and I suspect that this series could serve well as a gateway into UF/PR.
The world of the Graced books is fascinating – there are vampires and various types of wereanimal, and there also exist a subset of humans gifted with psychic powers, the Graced, their powers revealed by the possession of an eye colour other than brown. The world is far more complex, however, and even after four instalments, it feels as though there is much, much more to be revealed about the world.
Bitten occurs chronologically after the events of Graced, and while it mostly stands on its own, reading Graced first helps set up the world, and the existing relationships between some characters who were protagonists in Graced, and are now secondary characters in Bitten. It is not necessary to have read the two novellas, but reading them definitely deepens the world in general (especially the information that’s revealed in Captive, which is referred to in a minor fashion in Bitten.)
While the worldbuilding is fascinating, Pillar’s real strength is in her characters and the relationships (and snark and banter…oh, so much wonderful banter) between them. Bitten mostly focuses on four characters – the coroner Alice Reive, Hannah, a Graced vampire, Fin, who can only be described as a rogue (sorry, Fin, but it’s true!) and his friend, Byrne, a werebear. I pretty much fell in love with every one of the characters over the course of the book – well, okay, I fell in love with Fin the minute he stepped onto the page. Bloody rogue types.
The book isn’t all about the romance, though. There is also a crime plot threading through everything, with a serial killer hunting vampires. This part of the book didn’t quite work as well for me as the relationships and character arcs (possibly because they’re just so stellar in their writing), but neither was it unsatisfying in any way.
It should also be noted that the book does use the soul mate/fated mate trope at one point, which is a trope which I am very wary of, since it often involves characters essentially losing their own self determination and can, at worst, essentially become a form of rape and/or abuse. I was very pleased with the way Pillar handled the use of the trope, with the involved characters still retaining their will and common sense. Many authors could learn a lot from the way she treats this kind of trope.
Overall, Bitten is another spectacular instalment in the Graced universe, and I recommend it (and the whole series) highly, most especially to readers who might be burned on on the same-old same-old paranormal books.
The world of the Graced books is fascinating – there are vampires and various types of wereanimal, and there also exist a subset of humans gifted with psychic powers, the Graced, their powers revealed by the possession of an eye colour other than brown. The world is far more complex, however, and even after four instalments, it feels as though there is much, much more to be revealed about the world.
Bitten occurs chronologically after the events of Graced, and while it mostly stands on its own, reading Graced first helps set up the world, and the existing relationships between some characters who were protagonists in Graced, and are now secondary characters in Bitten. It is not necessary to have read the two novellas, but reading them definitely deepens the world in general (especially the information that’s revealed in Captive, which is referred to in a minor fashion in Bitten.)
While the worldbuilding is fascinating, Pillar’s real strength is in her characters and the relationships (and snark and banter…oh, so much wonderful banter) between them. Bitten mostly focuses on four characters – the coroner Alice Reive, Hannah, a Graced vampire, Fin, who can only be described as a rogue (sorry, Fin, but it’s true!) and his friend, Byrne, a werebear. I pretty much fell in love with every one of the characters over the course of the book – well, okay, I fell in love with Fin the minute he stepped onto the page. Bloody rogue types.
The book isn’t all about the romance, though. There is also a crime plot threading through everything, with a serial killer hunting vampires. This part of the book didn’t quite work as well for me as the relationships and character arcs (possibly because they’re just so stellar in their writing), but neither was it unsatisfying in any way.
It should also be noted that the book does use the soul mate/fated mate trope at one point, which is a trope which I am very wary of, since it often involves characters essentially losing their own self determination and can, at worst, essentially become a form of rape and/or abuse. I was very pleased with the way Pillar handled the use of the trope, with the involved characters still retaining their will and common sense. Many authors could learn a lot from the way she treats this kind of trope.
Overall, Bitten is another spectacular instalment in the Graced universe, and I recommend it (and the whole series) highly, most especially to readers who might be burned on on the same-old same-old paranormal books.
January 16, 2017
Bitten is a new novel in Amanda Pillar's Graced universe. It features some returning characters, but the focus is mostly on new characters or incidental characters from the previous novel. As such, it stands alone reasonably well and should be accessible to new readers.
There were so many potential ships in this novel. The blurb had me half expecting a f/f romance. However, it soon became clear this was unlikely. Like Graced, this was a novel that kept me on my toes; readers going into it expecting a pure paranormal romance are likely to be disappointed. The pairings happen quite a way into the story, with one getting started almost at the end. Instead, romance is balanced out with a hefty dose of crime and fantasy road trip.
The development of non-romantic relationships make it equally satisfying. I enjoyed seeing the strong friendship between two of the main male characters and to learn a bit more of how that came to be. There were also some great family dynamics, especially within Hannah's family. And I appreciated that we got to spend some time with characters from Graced and to see how their adopted family dynamic is developing.
The story does make use of the fated mate trope, which is one I really don't get along with. However, I was really impressed with how the trope was handled. It makes it clear the attraction the characters feel is instinctual lust and that it's just one step along the path, with the next being getting to know each other better.
Diversity was a key part of Graced and remains strong in Bitten. The characters have a wide variety of skin tones. Hannah has something akin to a touch phobia and Alice has some mild OCD tendencies. I wasn't wholly sold on the latter, but I have no experience with it, so your mileage may vary.
I found the ending of the crime plot a little weak but it's difficult to say more on this without spoilers.
However, I can say that the characters and world-building make it well worth the read. The novel also finishes with a revelation that will have some very interesting implications for the world and I'm really looking forward to finding out what happens next.
This review first appeared on Earl Grey Editing.
There were so many potential ships in this novel. The blurb had me half expecting a f/f romance. However, it soon became clear this was unlikely. Like Graced, this was a novel that kept me on my toes; readers going into it expecting a pure paranormal romance are likely to be disappointed. The pairings happen quite a way into the story, with one getting started almost at the end. Instead, romance is balanced out with a hefty dose of crime and fantasy road trip.
The development of non-romantic relationships make it equally satisfying. I enjoyed seeing the strong friendship between two of the main male characters and to learn a bit more of how that came to be. There were also some great family dynamics, especially within Hannah's family. And I appreciated that we got to spend some time with characters from Graced and to see how their adopted family dynamic is developing.
The story does make use of the fated mate trope, which is one I really don't get along with. However, I was really impressed with how the trope was handled. It makes it clear the attraction the characters feel is instinctual lust and that it's just one step along the path, with the next being getting to know each other better.
Diversity was a key part of Graced and remains strong in Bitten. The characters have a wide variety of skin tones. Hannah has something akin to a touch phobia and Alice has some mild OCD tendencies. I wasn't wholly sold on the latter, but I have no experience with it, so your mileage may vary.
I found the ending of the crime plot a little weak but it's difficult to say more on this without spoilers.
However, I can say that the characters and world-building make it well worth the read. The novel also finishes with a revelation that will have some very interesting implications for the world and I'm really looking forward to finding out what happens next.
This review first appeared on Earl Grey Editing.
December 30, 2016
For those of you who haven't read the first book in this series Graced, I recommend you do so before reading this one. Not because you wouldn't be able to pick it up but because the nuances of the relationships might not come across as strongly without it. Also, because the first book kicked arse and is worth a read, as is this one.
The world of the Graced is set 30,000 odd years in the future, and humans are little more than food for vampires and werewolves. It has gotten a little more civilised now, but human deaths in society are still very common, so when one of our heroes, Alice, a coroner, is called to a vampire death, that is considered unusual and exciting. The vampires aren't pleased about being victims.
Our other heroine, Hannah, is a vampire who has lived apart from the world because she is half Graced, that is she has a special mental ability. She can absorb memories from a touch. Nobody else has this power and she and her mother have kept it secret for 200 years. But Hannah finds a baby abandoned on her mountainside and because she needs help she sets out to see her mother.
These two events set in motion what was a fun adventure and romp, with a bit of murder on the side. This series is a little different to the standard paranormal romance, in that although you have weres and vampires, you also have Graceds which are talented humans, and they have wiped away the secret of their existence from most minds except a few powerful beings, who have kept the secret for their own reasons.
There are many different points of view, and although I thought Alice and her honey should have met up a bit sooner, on the whole, it was a very satisfying story. The world is so richly thought out and clever, the potential for different stories here is immense. I look forward to the next one from the author (who has given me a hint as to who's in it and I'm so excited)
*ARC was provided to me by the author for an honest review*
The world of the Graced is set 30,000 odd years in the future, and humans are little more than food for vampires and werewolves. It has gotten a little more civilised now, but human deaths in society are still very common, so when one of our heroes, Alice, a coroner, is called to a vampire death, that is considered unusual and exciting. The vampires aren't pleased about being victims.
Our other heroine, Hannah, is a vampire who has lived apart from the world because she is half Graced, that is she has a special mental ability. She can absorb memories from a touch. Nobody else has this power and she and her mother have kept it secret for 200 years. But Hannah finds a baby abandoned on her mountainside and because she needs help she sets out to see her mother.
These two events set in motion what was a fun adventure and romp, with a bit of murder on the side. This series is a little different to the standard paranormal romance, in that although you have weres and vampires, you also have Graceds which are talented humans, and they have wiped away the secret of their existence from most minds except a few powerful beings, who have kept the secret for their own reasons.
There are many different points of view, and although I thought Alice and her honey should have met up a bit sooner, on the whole, it was a very satisfying story. The world is so richly thought out and clever, the potential for different stories here is immense. I look forward to the next one from the author (who has given me a hint as to who's in it and I'm so excited)
*ARC was provided to me by the author for an honest review*
November 17, 2017
This read was generously provided by the publishers through NetGalley.
I have not read the first novel of this series but I didn't feel it stopped me from enjoying it at all. The world concept comes out clearly and the more nuanced aspects that aren't depicted in this installment don't detract from the appeal, in fact, it just made me curious to read the first novel (which I will very soon). It has a couple of bad aspects in the character development and romance areas but I can happily overlook them for the general world building and story, which have incredible potential. I feel this author can live off spin-offs in this world for a while!
The novel follows two heroines in two story lines that only mingle at the (very short) end. Hannah is an extraordinary vampire in a world of ordinary vampires. She finds an abandoned baby on the mountain she lives and decides to go to her mother (btw, more Tatiana please.) for help in raising the child and that sets off her adventure into treachery, discovery and (quasi insta-)love.
Now Alice is a normal human, not vampire, were or magically talented. I really liked her for that. With a past that still has a hold on her, the city coroner decides the new murder cases in town strike a bit too close to home and inadvertently gets involved in more than she wanted to. The two male leads are inspired best friends, Fin provided some comic relief and Byrne provided some mushy book-love in me. I wish he had found his mate sooner, there better be more about them in the future!
Anyway, in general, a very good read, recommend for any paranormal fan who doesn't mind losing some romance and gaining some great world building.
I have not read the first novel of this series but I didn't feel it stopped me from enjoying it at all. The world concept comes out clearly and the more nuanced aspects that aren't depicted in this installment don't detract from the appeal, in fact, it just made me curious to read the first novel (which I will very soon). It has a couple of bad aspects in the character development and romance areas but I can happily overlook them for the general world building and story, which have incredible potential. I feel this author can live off spin-offs in this world for a while!
The novel follows two heroines in two story lines that only mingle at the (very short) end. Hannah is an extraordinary vampire in a world of ordinary vampires. She finds an abandoned baby on the mountain she lives and decides to go to her mother (btw, more Tatiana please.) for help in raising the child and that sets off her adventure into treachery, discovery and (quasi insta-)love.
Now Alice is a normal human, not vampire, were or magically talented. I really liked her for that. With a past that still has a hold on her, the city coroner decides the new murder cases in town strike a bit too close to home and inadvertently gets involved in more than she wanted to. The two male leads are inspired best friends, Fin provided some comic relief and Byrne provided some mushy book-love in me. I wish he had found his mate sooner, there better be more about them in the future!
Anyway, in general, a very good read, recommend for any paranormal fan who doesn't mind losing some romance and gaining some great world building.
September 8, 2019
Twins
A different way to tell this story..using the method of flip flopping characters as the tale develops...personally annoys me usually but it worked. A vampire who has the power of reading memories meets and creates her own circle and then finds a whole new life
A different way to tell this story..using the method of flip flopping characters as the tale develops...personally annoys me usually but it worked. A vampire who has the power of reading memories meets and creates her own circle and then finds a whole new life
May 28, 2017
A really disjointed start to the book but once it got going it was great, I love the Graced World characters.
September 10, 2017
Fascinating series
Wow what a fascinating series so far.
I hope there will be more.
Follow along with this rag tag team of weres,vampires, humans, ancients and Graced.
Wow what a fascinating series so far.
I hope there will be more.
Follow along with this rag tag team of weres,vampires, humans, ancients and Graced.
October 30, 2016
I'm the author, so biased as always...
March 17, 2017
Bitten is the second installment in this exciting series. The author blends genres remarkably well and lets the story telling develop in such a way that it surely attracts readers from all genres. Fans of mystery, romance, adventure etc will find something to love in this series.
I like a good murder mystery and so I found the serial killings aspect of the novel to be riveting, juicy and suspenseful. I didn't have a clue who the killer was until the last moment.
Fin, Byrne and Hannah spend most of the story travelling the road together and getting into one scrape after another. I loved this aspect of the novel. The relationships between the trio adapted and grew as Fin and Byrne got to know Hannah better. They alternated between bickering, arguing, to teasing each other and falling in love which kept me entertained for the duration of the novel. I preferred Byrne to Fin and I hope to read more about him in future stories. His love interest, Alice, intrigues me and so I'm hoping that some exciting adventure is awaiting the pair in the future.
I like a good murder mystery and so I found the serial killings aspect of the novel to be riveting, juicy and suspenseful. I didn't have a clue who the killer was until the last moment.
Fin, Byrne and Hannah spend most of the story travelling the road together and getting into one scrape after another. I loved this aspect of the novel. The relationships between the trio adapted and grew as Fin and Byrne got to know Hannah better. They alternated between bickering, arguing, to teasing each other and falling in love which kept me entertained for the duration of the novel. I preferred Byrne to Fin and I hope to read more about him in future stories. His love interest, Alice, intrigues me and so I'm hoping that some exciting adventure is awaiting the pair in the future.
January 9, 2017
A great follow on to Graced
Bitten is the second novel in Amanda Pillar's Graced series, but works as a stand-alone if you haven't read the first book yet.
Bitten is a fast-paced read filled with snappy dialogue and characters you really want to follow to see what happens.
Beyond the sassy characters, the world building is one of the best parts of the Graced universe. Bitten adds to that and shows you more of what lies beyond Pinton, and how the slow recovery from the events in the novella Captive have played out in different parts of the world.
Bitten is the second novel in Amanda Pillar's Graced series, but works as a stand-alone if you haven't read the first book yet.
Bitten is a fast-paced read filled with snappy dialogue and characters you really want to follow to see what happens.
Beyond the sassy characters, the world building is one of the best parts of the Graced universe. Bitten adds to that and shows you more of what lies beyond Pinton, and how the slow recovery from the events in the novella Captive have played out in different parts of the world.
January 14, 2017
Bitten by Amanda Pillar is the second novel set in the Graced universe. I have previously reviewed the other novel, Graced, and one of the novellas, Captive. Although Bitten is set after Graced, they can be read in any order and the novellas aren't necessary to follow the stories in the novels.
Bitten is a little bit of a lot of things. It has some romance in it (basically all of the key characters get paired off) but isn't a capital-R romance novel. There are murders to solve and a serial killer to catch, but it's not exactly a mystery novel or a police procedural either, despite one of the characters being a coroner. Really it's the story of a group people and how their lives intertwine during a certain period of time, which happens to also involve some murders. Because of all that, it doesn't follow any well-worn genre beats but the story threads all come together towards the end, which was the part I enjoyed most.
Being set in the same universe, the main characters from Graced do make an appearance but reading the earlier book isn't necessary for understanding Bitten. The only issue I can see with reading them out of order is being "spoiled" for who pairs off with whom in Graced, but from memory it was pretty obvious and not supposed to be a surprise. Also, there is definitely a heavier focus on the new characters introduced in Bitten, and I generally enjoyed reading their stories the most — particularly Alice the coroner, Hannah the Graced vampire and Byrne and werebear — even when I wasn't sure how they were going to intersect. They all had interesting pasts which tied the story together nicely.
I would recommend this books to fans of vampires, werepeople (not just werewolves) and magic/psychic powers. Also to fans of urban fantasy, particularly the kind set in a low-tech future.
4 / 5 stars
You can read more of my reviews on my blog.
Bitten is a little bit of a lot of things. It has some romance in it (basically all of the key characters get paired off) but isn't a capital-R romance novel. There are murders to solve and a serial killer to catch, but it's not exactly a mystery novel or a police procedural either, despite one of the characters being a coroner. Really it's the story of a group people and how their lives intertwine during a certain period of time, which happens to also involve some murders. Because of all that, it doesn't follow any well-worn genre beats but the story threads all come together towards the end, which was the part I enjoyed most.
Being set in the same universe, the main characters from Graced do make an appearance but reading the earlier book isn't necessary for understanding Bitten. The only issue I can see with reading them out of order is being "spoiled" for who pairs off with whom in Graced, but from memory it was pretty obvious and not supposed to be a surprise. Also, there is definitely a heavier focus on the new characters introduced in Bitten, and I generally enjoyed reading their stories the most — particularly Alice the coroner, Hannah the Graced vampire and Byrne and werebear — even when I wasn't sure how they were going to intersect. They all had interesting pasts which tied the story together nicely.
I would recommend this books to fans of vampires, werepeople (not just werewolves) and magic/psychic powers. Also to fans of urban fantasy, particularly the kind set in a low-tech future.
4 / 5 stars
You can read more of my reviews on my blog.
January 5, 2017
Bitten is the second novel in the Graced series, which also has two novellas at present. Every time I pick up and read a piece of Pillar’s work, I'm instantly enthralled. Pillar captivates readers with the intriguing world and species she has created in her unique universe.
Bitten provided us with new and intriguing characters along with much-loved originals. You travel with a number of characters throughout the novel and I honestly love it; you're not stuck with the same character throughout.
I am in awe of the way Pillar develops the characters and the individual personality traits they all have. From psychopaths to motherly, happy go lucky to shy characters, Pillar covers it all in this novel.
The plot progresses at a satisfying pace, never slow and boring. There is always something happening, but not necessarily action-wise, and the dialog between characters keeps you flicking through the pages entertained and demanding more. Pillar’s writing is witty, filled with sarcasm and is just brilliant.
The icing on the cake for me is the creation of a new species of supernatural beings: "the Graced". It is such a breath of fresh air in the supernatural world.
Fans of vampires, werewolves and anything supernatural will fall in love with Bitten and the Graced world.
Already eagerly awaiting the release of the next instalment in this series.
**I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Bitten provided us with new and intriguing characters along with much-loved originals. You travel with a number of characters throughout the novel and I honestly love it; you're not stuck with the same character throughout.
I am in awe of the way Pillar develops the characters and the individual personality traits they all have. From psychopaths to motherly, happy go lucky to shy characters, Pillar covers it all in this novel.
The plot progresses at a satisfying pace, never slow and boring. There is always something happening, but not necessarily action-wise, and the dialog between characters keeps you flicking through the pages entertained and demanding more. Pillar’s writing is witty, filled with sarcasm and is just brilliant.
The icing on the cake for me is the creation of a new species of supernatural beings: "the Graced". It is such a breath of fresh air in the supernatural world.
Fans of vampires, werewolves and anything supernatural will fall in love with Bitten and the Graced world.
Already eagerly awaiting the release of the next instalment in this series.
**I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 12, 2017
REVIEW: BITTEN, The Graced Series, Book Two, by Amanda Pillar.
Rated 4 out of 5 stars by Iris Chacon.
(An electronic copy was provided in exchange for an honest, objective review.)
Charming as The Hobbit, Complex as Game of Thrones
To call this novel a "paranormal romance" or "fantasy" novel would be oversimplication. This genre-bending tale has the charm of Tolkien's Hobbit combined with the complex relationships of Martin's Game of Thrones. It may seem like slow going at the beginning, especially if one hasn't read book one in the series, but once the reader has learned enough about the characters and their world to become immersed in it, the story proceeds at a pleasing pace.
The characters are unique and likeable, from the self-exiled vampire who can't be touched, to the outrageously flirtatious egotistical prettyboy, to the werebear with the heart of gold. Fair warning, all threads are not tied up in the end. The author, of course, wants readers to hunger for book three. I'm feeling a bit peckish, myself.
I have dropped one star from my rating because of some unsavory language. I think the same story could have been told without it. In fact, I would have enjoyed this creative author concocting a whole new vocabulary of expletives just for the world in which the story takes place.
This book contains adult themes, mild profanity, and sexual encounters, some of them homosexual. There are no religious references.
Rated 4 out of 5 stars by Iris Chacon.
(An electronic copy was provided in exchange for an honest, objective review.)
Charming as The Hobbit, Complex as Game of Thrones
To call this novel a "paranormal romance" or "fantasy" novel would be oversimplication. This genre-bending tale has the charm of Tolkien's Hobbit combined with the complex relationships of Martin's Game of Thrones. It may seem like slow going at the beginning, especially if one hasn't read book one in the series, but once the reader has learned enough about the characters and their world to become immersed in it, the story proceeds at a pleasing pace.
The characters are unique and likeable, from the self-exiled vampire who can't be touched, to the outrageously flirtatious egotistical prettyboy, to the werebear with the heart of gold. Fair warning, all threads are not tied up in the end. The author, of course, wants readers to hunger for book three. I'm feeling a bit peckish, myself.
I have dropped one star from my rating because of some unsavory language. I think the same story could have been told without it. In fact, I would have enjoyed this creative author concocting a whole new vocabulary of expletives just for the world in which the story takes place.
This book contains adult themes, mild profanity, and sexual encounters, some of them homosexual. There are no religious references.
January 5, 2017
This is a great fantasy/paranormal novel with interesting, funny characters in the distant future. Vampires, were-creatures, and humans with various eye colors have supernatural abilities in this well constructed mythology. The story went back and forth between two groups of characters in different locations, eventually bringing them and their stories together.
Alice, a human, is the coroner in a vampire run town where important vampires are being murdered. The ensuing investigation brings her into contact with society's elite, which is intimidating but illuminating.
Hannah is a vampire with a unique ability that has caused her to isolate herself from society for decades. When an abandoned human infant becomes her responsibility, she's forced to leave her secluded life to seek help. On her journey, she meets a kind werebear and his cocky human companion. Building relationships is new and enlightening for Hannah, as she gets to know her new acquaintances.
A lot goes on in this book and it's exciting as the ties between characters unfold and you begin to see how it all comes together.
Amanda Pillar has created a wonderful mythology for this series. This is the second book with two novellas in between. "Bitten" works as a stand alone but I suggest reading the series in order to enjoy the evolution of certain characters.
Alice, a human, is the coroner in a vampire run town where important vampires are being murdered. The ensuing investigation brings her into contact with society's elite, which is intimidating but illuminating.
Hannah is a vampire with a unique ability that has caused her to isolate herself from society for decades. When an abandoned human infant becomes her responsibility, she's forced to leave her secluded life to seek help. On her journey, she meets a kind werebear and his cocky human companion. Building relationships is new and enlightening for Hannah, as she gets to know her new acquaintances.
A lot goes on in this book and it's exciting as the ties between characters unfold and you begin to see how it all comes together.
Amanda Pillar has created a wonderful mythology for this series. This is the second book with two novellas in between. "Bitten" works as a stand alone but I suggest reading the series in order to enjoy the evolution of certain characters.
February 5, 2017
Wow. This book is different from what I normally read, but I DEVOURED IT. Seriously, The book follows several separate, but intertwined stories and takes place in an established universe. I hadn't read the first book (Graced) and was able to follow this one, but I am DEFINITELY going to go read it now.
The setting reminded me a lot of Phillip Pullman's His Dark Materials series. You can't quite tell whether the story is set in the distant past or the distant future or whether it's in an alternate timeline altogether. There are vampires, humans ("normal" and "graced", which my husband lovingly referred to as X-men), and weres, which can be anything - tigers, bears, wolves, etc. The two main stories follow Hannah, who has found a baby left for dead, and Alice, the human coroner tasked with figuring out who is killing the city's aristocratic vampires. Their stories intertwine in some predictable and surprising ways. I have to hand it to the author - I read a LOT of mysteries and can almost always figure out who the killer is. I was sure I had it figured out a quarter of the way through the book, but SURPRISE! I was only half right. Which is the best kind of mystery - you've got enough clues to figure it out, but there are so many dead ends that you still end up shocked at the end.
I received a free copy from netgalley (there are some perks to being a librarian!)
The setting reminded me a lot of Phillip Pullman's His Dark Materials series. You can't quite tell whether the story is set in the distant past or the distant future or whether it's in an alternate timeline altogether. There are vampires, humans ("normal" and "graced", which my husband lovingly referred to as X-men), and weres, which can be anything - tigers, bears, wolves, etc. The two main stories follow Hannah, who has found a baby left for dead, and Alice, the human coroner tasked with figuring out who is killing the city's aristocratic vampires. Their stories intertwine in some predictable and surprising ways. I have to hand it to the author - I read a LOT of mysteries and can almost always figure out who the killer is. I was sure I had it figured out a quarter of the way through the book, but SURPRISE! I was only half right. Which is the best kind of mystery - you've got enough clues to figure it out, but there are so many dead ends that you still end up shocked at the end.
I received a free copy from netgalley (there are some perks to being a librarian!)
January 18, 2017
I have been waiting ages for this book and it did not disappoint. The characters are so engaging and likable, I did not want to stop reading to find out what would happen to them next. It is such an intriguing world and the story filled with just the right blend of humour, action and suspense, as well as romance, to keep me engrossed. The only bad thing is that it ended and I wasn't ready for it to finish. Need the next book NOW!
February 6, 2017
4.5 stars
I love the characters in this story - Amanda's characterisation is always great. The story itself has humour, action and steam!
I love the characters in this story - Amanda's characterisation is always great. The story itself has humour, action and steam!
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