This was actually reasonably well-developed for a short story. It's a futuristic sci-fi setting where the select few survivors of the after-m3.5 stars
This was actually reasonably well-developed for a short story. It's a futuristic sci-fi setting where the select few survivors of the after-math of man's interference with nature are forced to live underground or under the ocean - as is the case with this one. Thankfully, as I dislike sci-fi as a general rule, the author provides the reader with the necessary background in a simple way, never getting bogged down with detail.
To ensure the genetically healthy continuation of mankind, survivors who haven't paired off naturally in the first couple of years are now allocated spouses with the expectation that they will do their bit to ensure the human race survives. When Rena met Micca before the catastrophic events that changed the world, she told him "Not if you were the last man on earth". Now he almost is...
Last Man on Earth is one of the ridiculous number of freebies that I have downloaded to my beautiful new Kindle. I'm sure that most of them will be a complete waste of time. This one wasn't....more
Where Curran POV #1 was a series of Curran's observations from each book, Curran POV #2 was a continuous story about what occurred immediately after hWhere Curran POV #1 was a series of Curran's observations from each book, Curran POV #2 was a continuous story about what occurred immediately after he woke from his coma and found out about all the challenges Kate had faced from the pack.
I hope Gordon Andrews writes more of these - it's great to get Curran's POV....more
I really enjoyed reading Curran's POV. Loved these lines from when they first met in Unicorn Lane:
The scared hovered at the edge, the stupid died not
I really enjoyed reading Curran's POV. Loved these lines from when they first met in Unicorn Lane:
The scared hovered at the edge, the stupid died not far from it. I was here to meet someone, and if she made it far enough to find me, I would know she was neither.
So not a mouse after all, but something more. This could be interesting. I'd let her dance in the dirt a bit more. She was find to watch. She crouched with her hand out. What the hell was she doing... "Here, kitty, kitty, kitty." Oh my God, she was retarded and I was going to kill Jim. She blinked and stared at me. She'd seen my eyes glow. I let go, shifting in the dark into my true form. If you want a Kitty, little girl, I'll give you one you'll never forget. I stepped into the moonlight. She froze. That's right. No sudden moves. I padded toward her slowly and circled her allowing her to take it all in. Do you like the Kitty now? I could smell her surprise and fear. Our gazes met. Her eyes went wide and then she fell on her ass. Heh. A bow would have been sufficient.
The Spymaster's Lady is destined to be one of my top reads for 2011, so I was really interested to see if it was a fluke, or whether Joanna B4.5 stars
The Spymaster's Lady is destined to be one of my top reads for 2011, so I was really interested to see if it was a fluke, or whether Joanna Bourne is one of those too rare, extremely talented authors. There's some good news and some bad news in the answer to that question.
The good news is, The Spymaster's Lady wasn't 'beginner's luck'. I loved this one too. The bad news is, there is no backlist for me to glom. How incredibly exciting to have found a new favourite author, and how disappointing that there isn't a mountain of books to look forward to.
Ridiculous title and misleading cover aside, this was an excellent book. I know a lot of readers who loved The Spymaster's Lady were disappointed with his one, but that was absolutely not my experience. Sure, The Spymaster's Lady might have the edge, but this was a great read in its own right.
Once again, the author gifts the reader with a unique, unconventional, interesting, chameleonic heroine, and pairs her with a strong hero who combines raw masculinity, strength and dominance with sensitivity, care and concern. The heroines seem to shine so well in these stories that you can forget the enormous appeal of her heroes. It's a surprisingly pleasant change.
Again, our hero and heroine seem to be at cross purposes where each have their own agenda, adding significant complexity to their basic and fundamental attraction. The author writes this so well. I loved that in this one, Sebastian's agenda wasn't to the mutual exclusion of Jess's. The battle here was not just of political origins, but really about trust.
The attraction between Sebastian and Jess was wonderfully rendered and I loved their banter and the way Sebastian patiently and purposefully pursued her. These are not books with detailed sex scenes, but nor do they need them. I never felt like something was missing.
The author again brings the setting to life - another major talent of hers. I'm not always a visual person, but the images here were vivid and leapt into my imagination without conscious effort on my part, or the need for endless dull description by the author. I love her prose and the way she writes dialogue really enhances the experience. The secondary characters are also fully realised.
My Lord and Spymaster is balanced in action and emotion and is a rich and rewarding read. My one niggling complaint was Adrian's character. I adored him in The Spymaster's Lady and I didn't recognise him here. He was a different and less interesting character in this one. I can't to read The Forbidden Rose....more
Joanna Bourne is one very talented author. Her crisp, unfettered style is brilliantly lacking the over-wrought sentimentality that often prevails in hJoanna Bourne is one very talented author. Her crisp, unfettered style is brilliantly lacking the over-wrought sentimentality that often prevails in historical romance, and results in moments of breath-taking poignancy. She is a striking talent bringing a fresh and unique voice to the genre. It’s no surprise that she has rocketed up the list of my favourite authors.
The Forbidden Rose is a prequel to the amazing The Spymaster's Lady and My Lord and Spymaster, and doesn’t disappoint on any level. Bourne again showcases her unique voice, seamlessly providing the reader with a sense of time and place, always ‘showing’ rather than ‘telling’, with the dialogue providing the bulk of the flavour.
This is William Doyle’s story, who we originally came to know in The Spymasters Lady, and saw again in My Lord and Spymaster. Although I liked his character in those books, they didn’t quite prepare me for what a wonderful, amazing man he really was. Doyle is not a flashy character; he doesn’t need or want to be centre stage. He is a man of tremendous strength, substance and subtlety with a sly sense of humour – a combination that I found compelling and irresistible.
Luckily, the author gave him a worthy match with Marguerite de Fleurignac – intelligent, practical, daring and self-reliant, she is nonetheless rendered in a very believable way. Bourne writes some of the best couples going around, and although they generally start the book at ‘political’ odds, the progression of their relationship is deftly handled – nothing ever feels forced and the author has no need to rely on overused, clichéd devices.
I cannot possibly write this review without mentioning Adrian. While Doyle was too strong and impressive a character to allow someone else to steal the show, Adrian came as close as possible to that line. I adored Adrian in The Spymaster’s Lady, and was left feeling a little bereft of his sparkling character in My Lord and Spymaster. Oh, but he was brilliant in this one.
I’d never thought to see Adrian’s life before his entrée into Britain’s elite spy agency, and what a loss that would have been. The twelve-year-old Adrian was something to behold. In fact, I intend to re-read these books (something I never do), starting with this one first, just so I can appreciate Adrian in chronological order, along with Doyle and Maggie. (Ignore what Goodreads says about chronological order – this one would come first, not third.)
The Forbidden Rose is the story of two people who know they cannot be together, but neither can they bear to be apart. Neither conforms to society's standards of beauty, but each sees the inner beauty of the other. I could wax lyrical about this series all day. I will refrain, but let me just say this: Read. These. Books. ...more
This is a spoiler-free review, because you really need to experience the magic of this book without knowing what’s ahead. And believe me, despite whatThis is a spoiler-free review, because you really need to experience the magic of this book without knowing what’s ahead. And believe me, despite what you think you might have worked out from reading the previous books, you probably have no idea.
I hate spoilers. Hate ’em. No matter what the book, I don’t want to know anything going in. Yet very early on in Shadowfever I found myself so tempted to look ahead, or find some other way of getting a hint about what I could expect. Thankfully, my GR friend AH jumped in to talk some sense into me. She was so right. Don’t do it!
Shadowfever is full of moments that will leave you gaping open-mouthed, saying ‘Get Out!’, ‘No Way!’, ‘OMG!’ and ‘WTF?’. Over and over and over. There are so many twists and turns and revelations that you never see coming. With the benefit of hindsight, you might recognise some clues from the previous books, but others will come out of nowhere and hit you like a freight train.
This book is one hell of a ride, and such a fitting end for this brilliant series. This is not a typical final book that’s devoted to wrapping everything up and tying it off with a nice bow, but one that rips the paper apart again and again. And yet it still gives a satisfying resolution, even while leaving some questions unanswered and some stories still to tell. That’s life.
I left wanting more, but not because I felt I was left hanging. There were some questions that didn’t need to be answered, and I got everything I needed from this book, and then some. I stand in awe of the author’s ability to weave such a complex plot over the course of these five books, and never lose any of the threads. Absolutely, brilliantly, amazing.
KMM hasn’t delivered another never-ending series, and it is all the more powerful and satisfying for that. Now that the secrets are uncovered, I can’t wait to go back and do a re-read, and experience this series with a whole new perspective. Wooo-hooo! ...more
For anyone who read this one when it was originally released and has had to wait for over a year until the release of Shadowfever, you have my deepestFor anyone who read this one when it was originally released and has had to wait for over a year until the release of Shadowfever, you have my deepest sympathy. This one ends on the mother of all cliffhangers. It's bordering on cruel by the author to have readers waiting for so long!
Dreamfever picks up right where Faefever left off (and you thought that was a cliffhanger!), so this is a series that is absolutely necessary to read in order. It's also a series that you really want to read without spoilers, so I'll not go into any kind of synopsis.
What I do want to say, is that although I have 'only' given this instalment 4 stars, and although I wasn't a fan of the first book, Darkfever, this is a 5-star series all the way. It's definitely a case where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
I was only half-way through this book, and so had no idea of the cliffhanger ending, when I decided that I couldn't wait for Shadowfever to become available at the library. I've ordered the hardcover book at full price plus shipping because it wasn't available from the Book Depository. Then I went and purchased all the previous books in hardcover at ridiculous prices.
Wow. I’m so glad I persevered with this series. You were all right. Mac does get better (much, much better!) and the series is shaping up to 4.5 stars
Wow. I’m so glad I persevered with this series. You were all right. Mac does get better (much, much better!) and the series is shaping up to be awesome, just like you all said it was.
I’m completely and utterly invested in this story. I’m in awe of the author’s imagination and the way she has crafted this complex tale – so full of mystery, intrigue, suspense and action, not to mention the myriad twists and turns.
And Barrons. Ah Barrons. Has there ever been a more enigmatic character? Who is he? What is he? The possibilities are considered and discarded, only to be reconsidered when the author reveals yet another tantalizing clue.
Although there wasn’t a lot of progress in the story itself, there was plenty of action and a lot of information and background, which was of course provided in a very entertaining way.
Mac (and the reader) learns more about the creation of the Hallows and the history of the Fae from V’Lane, who is trying very hard to secure Mac to his side. She comes the closest she has yet to the Sinsar Dubh (the deadly book of dark magic), and the more she learns about Barrons, the less she knows.
Faefever ends on a pretty major cliffhanger, and I really feel for readers who read this one on release and had to wait an agonizingly long time for Dreamfever. Thankfully I’m so late to this party that I won’t have to endure that.
I could have done without the "Note to the Reader" at the end of the book, which promises that this isn't a story about darkness, and that one day Mac will hold a lot of joy. That's a spoiler in my book, and I detest spoilers.
Unless I'm reading a romance (which this is most assuredly not), I don't need to know there's a happy ending for the character. I'm totally fine with darkness - in fact that's one of the reasons this series is working for me - but I have to assume given the inclusion of this note, that many readers weren't.
If you're a fan of KMM's Highlander series (which I am), don't go into her Fever series expecting more of the same, or you will be disappointed. ...more
Bloodfever was a far more enjoyable read than its predecessor Darkfever, solely because Mac was far more palatable. Her trans*Breathes sigh of relief*
Bloodfever was a far more enjoyable read than its predecessor Darkfever, solely because Mac was far more palatable. Her transformation from shallow Barbie to take-no-bull combatant with substance is well on the way. Dare I say I even liked her at times in this one?
The story of the looming battle between the Fae and mortals, which saved Darkfever, continues to be intriguing, and because of Mac’s growth it was not told in as grating a voice, and there were less irritating conversational moments in the narrative. The “If I knew then what I know now” type moments were probably still there, but I was too caught up in the story to bother about them.
This was a fairly short read at 296 pages, so we didn’t get to see a lot of progress in Mac and Barrons’ search for the Sinsar Dubh. What we did get, was some truly stomach churning action and a further glimpse into the perplexing relationship between the pair.
Despite his cold and calculating demeanor, I am still finding Barrons to be an intriguing, compelling and strangely attractive character. I imagine that the author will string out the ‘who or what is he’ and ‘will they or wont they’ questions, but she provided such a powerful crumb toward the end of this book that I was left believing it will be worth the wait. Talk about hot - yowza!
While it would be nice if each book provided some level of resolution rather than adding more mysteries to those that remained unsolved and leaving the reader with a hook for the next installment, the ride is shaping up as being worth it. I’m eagerly waiting to get my hands on Faefever....more
I have never been so grateful for the OCD that requires me to read series in order. This book is an absolute gem that I otherwise may never have read.I have never been so grateful for the OCD that requires me to read series in order. This book is an absolute gem that I otherwise may never have read. It’s certainly not the kind of book I would normally pick up, and were it not for new_user’s review of The Forbidden Rose (the third book in this series), I highly doubt that I would ever have bothered with this one, and what a loss that would have been. I loved it!
Spies are not really my thing, especially in fiction. I pretty much never read mainstream thrillers and I’ll likely never pick up a John le Carré, Tom Clancy or Robert Ludlum, so when I read that this one was about a French spy and British Spymaster, I was less than enthusiastic to say the least, but this grabbed me from the first page and never let go.
The Spymaster’s Lady is a rollercoaster that is well worth riding. Even if the plot doesn’t sound appealing to you, I strongly encourage readers to step outside their comfort zone like I did, and give it a go. It is so, so good. The Spymaster’s Lady has definitely earned a place on my keepers shelf.
This was so refreshingly and wonderfully different from any other Regency/Victorian historical romance that I’ve read, yet it was never gimmicky. There really wasn't anything I didn't like. I loved the characters, I loved the plot, I loved the writing.
Annique is a heroine like no other you have ever read, though her manner of speaking did take a little adjusting to. Where it would have been very easy for her character to be over the top, the author manages to walk that fine line and achieves a very delicate balance, providing depth and nuance.
If you like an enemies to lovers storyline that is complex and believable, you should be very happy with this one. I loved the romance here even though neither character was willing to compromise and their relationship was fraught with seemingly insurmountable difficulties. This is a romance that is hard fought and won, and I loved that the author stayed true to the circumstances and never took the easy route.
Even though at times I could have happily smacked him, I loved Robert’s character and the fact that he did his best to protect Annique while never confusing his priorities. The fact that the hero and heroine remained true to themselves was very impressive. I loved that author didn’t make any compromises and managed to create complex characters and a compelling plot filled with adventure and intrigue that really captured my imagination.
This book also has one of the most brilliantly executed twists I have ever had the privilege of reading that will come out of nowhere and hit you like a freight train. It was extraordinarily skillful writing. I loved the secondary characters, too, and I can’t wait to read more from this author. ...more
Nora Roberts books are like comfort food for me. They are always reliable and leave me feeling warm, satisfied and content. I just enjoy her 3.5 stars
Nora Roberts books are like comfort food for me. They are always reliable and leave me feeling warm, satisfied and content. I just enjoy her writing. Always.
Happy Ever After is the final installment in the Bride Quartet, stories of four life-long friends who run a Wedding Planner business finding their own happy-ever-after.
It is a fairly common theme in NR’s trilogies and quartets that one or more characters establish their own business, and I usually enjoy the details and insight she provides into her characters via the day to day running of their particular enterprise. At times it can be quite fascinating.
This is true of the Bride Quartet, where we have a photographer, pastry and cake artist, florist and business woman extraordinaire. It was interesting to see how they came together to create the most amazing weddings for their clients, each excelling in their own area and working together to make magic.
But there is such a thing as too much of a good thing, and NR broke this cardinal rule in this series. In the absence of any suspense or paranormal elements, the story got completely over run by details of the different themes and weddings they planned. It was just too much, even when written as well as NR does.
I did enjoy Happy Ever After a little better than the others in the quartet, as I really like the match between rough around the edges Mal and perfect Parker, but I would not recommend reading these back-to-back. You will definitely benefit from a little space between books. ...more
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