At first glance, this is a short story bringing an end to a popular series. It could be seen as a quick conclusion for a HEA and just for the demograpAt first glance, this is a short story bringing an end to a popular series. It could be seen as a quick conclusion for a HEA and just for the demographic of RJ Scott, and V. L. Locey committed readers.
But, it is far, far more.
I've been invested in the several Hockey series', wonderfully written by both Scott and Locey, since they began with Changing Lines. I enjoy that the protagonists' character development continues in subsequent books and then crosses through the various series. We met Ryker, as a teenager, in that very first story about Ten and Jared. He then appeared in several of the following books, which gave us further insight. Ryker was developed far more deeply with his own story in the Owatonna series, which then introduced us to Jacob. This flow effect creates a real-world which the reader continuously revisits, which develops a feeling of family and community. It becomes a three-dimensional world. It becomes an emotive investment.
This story isn't a romance; nor is it a happy let's-finish-the-series-with-a-wedding story; it's the portrayal of the love built between Ryker and Jacob and how it then develops a deeper strength and a stronger base.
I certainly wasn't expecting the way the story played out, the concepts which were introduced and developed. Though, knowing this team, the writers and the protagonists their muses mould, I wasn't surprised. Yes, there was angst but, not for the sake of the story. It's the genuine portrayal of a situation that could make or break a relationship. It's a topical issue where we generally only ever see the tip of the iceberg when it's in the news. However, we know it's more prevalent, no matter the gender. The inclusion of a significant gender-conforming trope was a sheer stroke of genius and drove home a significant message to us all.
I'm almost sorry that there was an intimate scene....almost...though, was there more than one scene??? I was so invested in the story; I only recall one loving moment. Why??? Well, this would be a perfect story for the young adult reader but, these moments would preclude it from that genre, unfortunately. However, this scene gave the entire story an authentic, very touching conclusion to the harrowing situation and its effect on the relationship.
I'm torn in recommending that this should be read after reading several of the previous books first. That, it isn't a stand-alone story. WHY? Well, it could very much be a stand-alone book for the story it tells and the message it reveals regarding flaws in our perception of men.
I must finally comment on the crossover inclusion to a completely different series, with completely different world-building. Again, these authors show a touch of genius, as I'm sure we have a new series in the wings. A new series that readers will love and which will raise further topical issues. ...more
Firstly, this is not a stand-alone book, it must be read as part of the BeMo's series. It's a wonderful lil' interlude for Jex's h-u-u-u-u-ge fan-baseFirstly, this is not a stand-alone book, it must be read as part of the BeMo's series. It's a wonderful lil' interlude for Jex's h-u-u-u-u-ge fan-base while they're waiting for the 4th book in this series to be released. It's hard to believe it's just on 18 months since the first book, Captive was consumed in a reading frenzy, and we are now at 3.5 and eagerly awaiting number 4, Blood Prince, which is due out early-ish 2018.
Stone Sentinel, though just a short story, is as brilliantly written and detailed as the previous books in the BeMos series. It's packed with teasers and snippets of information for readers of the Beautiful Monsters books, to mull over and then fit into the amazing world Jex has created for us. Written in the entirely alien point of view of Jet; a gargoyle and minor character in the series; this story deftly weaves further intricate detail into an immense alternate, paranormal reality.
This series is incredibly complex, brilliantly so, and Stone Sentinel; with the deft twist of the gargoyle's tale (pun intended); the hidden, rocky strata of the Earth Mother's world has now been thrust into a paranormal mailstrom. These battles certainly won't be shadowed by those of Mordor or Westeros....more
Ok, sooooo, somewhere, somehow I saw a reference to a freebie book by Rj Scott which beggars belief that I'd not read it.... seriously, stated, by theOk, sooooo, somewhere, somehow I saw a reference to a freebie book by Rj Scott which beggars belief that I'd not read it.... seriously, stated, by the author, as an unedited short story, penned with lil' finesse. I can't find the original post to comment on, so I'll have to yell very loudly (or tag) to get some attention. (...or tell everyone here how much I enjoyed it and loved the twists)
I just want to state, unequivocally, that it's NOT a short story but a brilliant first chapter of a book, which doesn't need editing....but, I gotta ask....where the hell is the rest of it?????...more
A fun, light read and with some really refreshingly different ideas on types of shifters plus a bit of the stereotypical sweet, sparkly unicorn with aA fun, light read and with some really refreshingly different ideas on types of shifters plus a bit of the stereotypical sweet, sparkly unicorn with a tart streak and a tenacious, OCD, moody kraken with a sweet, marshmallow heart.
More a 3.5 than a 4 as it's compilation of short stories and not as smooth a read as a single, cohesive story. Basically, it was like each chapter had to have a different crisis with a completely different set of angst filled characters. I enjoyed the romps these two got up to and their conversations together helped round out their characters nicely. (view spoiler)[I wish there had been more world-building and background to the characters than descriptions of what Anderson and Lynn were wearing. It almost felt like the clothing descriptions were there to increase the word count. (hide spoiler)]...more
My first love has always been science fiction and finding a story where the science is fully credible is reasonably rare. Mario doesn't go into deep sMy first love has always been science fiction and finding a story where the science is fully credible is reasonably rare. Mario doesn't go into deep scientific detail but what he writes is concise, logical, sound and believable as it fleshes out and supports the romance base of the story. (There were parameters to this series that authors had to fulfill and the story is well formed within the framework required. It's not an easy task to fit your imagination into constraints set by a publisher.)
Being a short story, there isn't the chance to do in-depth character development or world building but with almost anecdotal references between the characters, Mario does provide the reader with real 3 dimensional personalities with faults we are all subject to. We might not know as much as we want to about Jacob and Ivo, but we do get a good rounding of who they are.
There is one other thing I highly respect about this story and its author. Mr Lipinski is German and writes in English which, of course, is not his primary language..... this is NOT an easy thing for anyone to do. What results is a slightly quirky style which is very different to the mainstream romance story we have all read. The syntax and descriptive words are slightly different to your standard English language as text but I found this imparted a unique flavour which enhanced the world building. It's set in Germany and the culture, though 'western', 'Eurocentric' etc is not American, British or Australian. This cultural difference is there in the writing and it is an asset for the reader. This book has been well edited, well thought out and logically presented but the style is different...it presents diversity on many levels, both within the story and in its creation.
I was given a ARC of this book but I was under no obligation to write a review. I'm also one of those superficial people who will only write reviews if the book is brilliant or absolutely 'tanks'. I believe we need honest reviews which highlight both ends of the reviewing scale but they are still my own personal opinion and a reflection of what I enjoy....more
Errrmmeerrrrrgerrrdd! That cliff hanger is killing me.
There have been some amazing reviews here that sum up perfectly anything I could say or add regErrrmmeerrrrrgerrrdd! That cliff hanger is killing me.
There have been some amazing reviews here that sum up perfectly anything I could say or add regarding how scintillating brilliant I, personally, found Sire.
Captive BeMo#1 started this epic journey where the world building and character development is so detailed and exquisite. However Sire raised the bar for complexity and reader emotional involvement....hence why everyone is sooooo aghast at having to wait for the third installment in this series.
One thing I will mention, which I love, is the amazing plot bunnies that are introduced then travel through to satisfying conclusions EXCEPT, them thar damn bunnies breed into further possible plot lines requiring answers. Yes, we now know the Sire, Yes, we now know who the mother is.... 1. but who was the 'father'? 2. why did one of the characters become a traitor? 3. will there ever be any redemption for those incubus arseholes. 4. I swear there has to be some unplumbed depths and facets to Tarrick...he is (deliberately) too 2 dimensional and superficial for me so far. 5. One major protagonist has now come out of the wings but there is still (at least) one major player to come forward. 6. I'm watching Hiroto closely. He's one of my tidy answers to several questions I haven't mentioned here.... 7. What's the ultimate plot foil for the pit monsters? Who's pushing those puppies outa the pit? 8. A betrayal has opened up some questions for me. 9. Damn...what have I missed????
Jex Lane, in such a finite period of time, has become one of my all time favorite authors. How can someone suddenly burst upon the scene and make such an impact in such a finite period? I find several things very refreshing in these books; not the least of which is the surprises woven into the story. Yes, there are the same-ol' same-ol' elements of the supernatural but the new twists and turns are a breath of fresh air in a theme which seems to get caught up in 'following the examples' of other wordsmiths. Since 2009, and specifically in the M/M romance genre' I've seen several rashes of themes roll through several months after an author has introduced a new element to a story. Finding an epic story, so detailed and uniquely compelling plus ticking so many of my 'boxes', is an amazing treasure for me.
Anyway, I'm off to read Captive again, now armed with the foresight presented in Sire, to see what else I can glean as insight..........more
All I can really say is the story was OK..... but...... The story ticked a few boxes for what I was wanting to read and it was doing reasonably OK untAll I can really say is the story was OK..... but...... The story ticked a few boxes for what I was wanting to read and it was doing reasonably OK until it finished...just finished. There were plot bunnies bounding around aimlessly within the story that could have been expanded upon..... this could have been an all round, satisfying contemporary romance but it just didn't deliver.
Why mention that Brad and his partner were on cold cases (1st mention)???? and enjoying them (2nd mention)???? Then, why mention one case in particular which could ohhhh sooooo easily be the ONE involving the last man to abuse Davie????? (3rd mention)
Stating that the story had been revised and edited and with a new publisher leads to some expectation of any untidiness in the story being fixed. I've read better free stories than this and THAT's why I'm so annoyed. I paid for an incomplete story which, really, seriously, I'm sorry, IMHO....it just isn't finished...not even to go into a second book.... A second book would be a continuation, this one just didn't go into enough depth or detail to even lead into another book ...possibly involving the Brad's partner.
As an example of this author's 'paid' work, I have really no confidence to look at any further works published and consider buying them. ...more
I only gave this 4 (actually 4.5) stars as I need to leave room to go higher for the next in the series.
My iniARC provided by author for honest review
I only gave this 4 (actually 4.5) stars as I need to leave room to go higher for the next in the series.
My initial impression in the first chapter of Captive is that this is a debut author as there were areas where the story could have been improved; better descriptive words or tighter syntax etc. Although I still lean towards this opinion, I was being picky.......I had an advance copy which I knew I was going to review and I was being 'dutifully' observant to do an honest review. So, yes, a debut novel but one which showed improvement with each page turned. I rapidly got into the story, my attention totally on the tale unfolding, the fascinating world building and I lost sight of any thought of there being a review required.
Definitely not a romance, at least not in the first of the series but, there is enough there to keep it hot, interesting and the reader guessing. (view spoiler)[ That Matthew professes to love Tarrick will annoy some readers.... or make you mutter Stockholm syndrome.... but this, and other quirks, are nicely tidied up by the author as she prepares for the second in the series (hide spoiler)]
What I really liked though was the world building. There was a great deal presented in this first of the series and though some of it lacked depth, the groundwork is there. Jex Lane has created a large playground for her characters and there are many roads where they (Matthew in particular) and the story can travel. I like Matthew, I disliked how unfairly he was treated; I thought it was a good story foil that the supposed 'bad guys' appeared more altruistic that the so-called 'good-guys'; I liked that all the premises built through the story could so easily be torn down.... (I'm personally getting a little tired of generally 'knowing' where a story is leading or when plots are presented so very obviously)......
Of course, we know there is a high likelihood of a HEA, we know Matthew will come out the winner but the journey in Captiveis very much an 'open book'. I am really, really looking forward to the next in this series. ...more
There are several reasons I really enjoyed this book; which is surprising, as I normally prefer a really well written story plus a couple of scorchingThere are several reasons I really enjoyed this book; which is surprising, as I normally prefer a really well written story plus a couple of scorching scenes to sooth the voyeur in me. Sad, I know, but hey, gratuitous hawt happy endings make me happy.
I reached the end of this book, feeling very well satisfied with some of the brilliant and effective world building. The character development of Prince Jai and Ash was deftly done as you don't realise the deep well of (view spoiler)[ ethical integrity and personal insight (hide spoiler)] that Jai holds tightly within him where no-one can see. I made this a spoiler alert as the author doesn't expose this until the final pages of the book. So much understanding falls into place regarding the relationship between both Jai and Ash plus one of Jai's deep secrets reveals much about the man.
The only reason I didn't give this a 5 star is It's a four and a half star rounded up because I found some areas a little slow in the final third of the book. This could have been my inner voyeur sub-consciously yammering for attention though.
The other thing I must mention is the brilliant cover. Truly, judge this book by the cover, as it reveals so much about Ash and the terrible world he barely survives in. But, again, you will only see the truth behind this image through the word-smithing skills of Caitlin Ricci.
...so, I'm now off to buy more of this author's books .......and I hope the covers for those were also created by Caitlin Ricci, who is, one very talented individual....more
This is an awareness comment for genuine Goodreads users. 1 star ratings should be ignored unless given by a genuine Goodreads account holder as thereThis is an awareness comment for genuine Goodreads users. 1 star ratings should be ignored unless given by a genuine Goodreads account holder as there are trolls deliberately rating books down. Below is an example
I looked a little deeper into a person who gave 1 star review and they are NOT a reader giving a rating but someone who is targeting certain books to give low scores. This person has given over 11,500 ratings of only 1 star, no reviews and no ratings above the 1 star. They also have no profile. I hazard a guess that they are a troll armed with the sole purpose of giving a low rating so books are given less attention....I also hazard that it's m/m books.
As a Goodreads user I resent this behavior as these individuals are falsely rating books down to skew the results. That is fraud. If you see them, make a comment and identify them for everyone to see.
Right, take a moment.... So.....Think of the words sublimely brilliant, then add every pithy expletive from your personal arsenal to the front of themRight, take a moment.... So.....Think of the words sublimely brilliant, then add every pithy expletive from your personal arsenal to the front of them.
Yup, that's my description of this book. Seriously, there are so many others who have waxed lyrical on the brilliance of this story that I could not improve on a single comment or word.
Frankly, I'd put this on the required reading list of students studying literature and dissecting each lil' nuance for meaning regarding the dystopian future it portrays. Yes!! This is that good...trouble is, it'd darn tootin' need to be given an *R* rating.
...and a sequel? Ohhh.eMmmm.Geee. p-leeeaze...... my first love was always science fiction and this?....wo-haaa....*fans face*...more
A really nice start to a new series. A. M. Arthur is one of the authors now relegated to my Author Stalking shelf as they've proven I can buy a book sA really nice start to a new series. A. M. Arthur is one of the authors now relegated to my Author Stalking shelf as they've proven I can buy a book sight unseen and I know I will enjoy it as, it'll be an original storyline, it'll tick my various wish-list boxes and the editing will be good. Sounds a pretty basic criteria but I know I can start to read and it'll be like a home-cooked apple pie.
Yeah, OK.... sweet, tart, crunchy, divine moments that titillate the taste-buds and that ohhhh-soooo pleasant satisfying feeling you get after it's finished......and want more.... hence my author stalking list....
...and yes I have already pre-ordered the next installment in this series.....more
Errmerrgerrd...got to the end of this and wailed...Nooooo, that can't be all!!!! Raced out and just bought both sequels because I just know the next oErrmerrgerrd...got to the end of this and wailed...Nooooo, that can't be all!!!! Raced out and just bought both sequels because I just know the next one will be a cliff-hanger too ....so I need the third for the final installment of a brilliant story. This is a refreshing read as it's definitely a different storyline to the usual samo-samo,oh-that's-a-good-idea-let's-copy-it. Do yourself a favour, buy all three and consider it a single book.
Sorry for short review, I'm itching to start the next installment... *squirms* and this one is from Kai's POV... and normally, I hate first person narratives..... but wooohoo ...*fans face madly*... time to turn the aircon on...and settle down for a few hours....unless I can't wait to start the 3rd..... Damn, means then I'll go through some serious withdrawal when I finish this set.......more
This, is a long story....much longer than your average novel in similar genres...and when it's hard to put down, well, let's say I'm TLC'ing my eyebalThis, is a long story....much longer than your average novel in similar genres...and when it's hard to put down, well, let's say I'm TLC'ing my eyeballs right about now.... Not totally what I expected but it certainly surpassed any expectations I may have had. However, there are some many aspects of this story still to be written, to be continued, to explore and craft. Maybe if we all beg nicely PL Nunn will heed our desperate pleas??...more
Haven't finished this book yet but have to review. Seriously was hooked by the second page, snickering at page five and feeling relief by page 16 thatHaven't finished this book yet but have to review. Seriously was hooked by the second page, snickering at page five and feeling relief by page 16 that this seems to be the standard set for thorough, complete & utter enjoyment.
Some of the one-liners have been added to my lexicon of "things-I-jest-have-to-say-one-day"
Will complete review when book finished.....today??...probably...
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