melstylensubstance's reviews
487 reviews

After the scenes last book with Rystrand and Sabine, I NEEEEEEEEDED to know what happened! How did that turnabout happen??

It was kind of fun to watch Sabine take him apart and break him. I don’t even want to know what that says about me. But he is smart and figured his way out. But as they were released and journeying to the portal, I got tired of it real fast. He was being a real dolt about keeping her tied. I could have done without that part.

But once they are back to NOLA it all got interesting again. I love when Nix shows up.

Also - Lothaire??? Mysterious big bad. I know his book is still a bit away but I can’t wait.

I love how this series keeps building and building and the action, romance, and suspense are all so delicious.

I’d been waiting to see what was going on with Murdoch and Daniella. We knew he was blooded from the first book, that Nix knew she was in Siberia, and that M had his bride and was buying her jeweled combs but he wasn’t fessing up to anyone about it. In a way it was similar to Conrad’s story because of the “we can’t touch” element but the solution here was WAYYY easier. He just needed to drink her blood. Get some Ice Fey running in his veins so they could touch. So simple. He’s a vampire, it’s what they do. But needed to do it the first time, past the pain. And of course since it’s painful they avoided it until he lost his temper in a jealous fit and needed to claim her in front of another male.

Book was ok, but the miscommunication was starting to become tedious.

Garreth and Lucia. Or Loosha as he calls her with his Scottish brogue. I loved their “meet cute” happening during a rugby game. Good mental images there. It was very interesting to see a different side of stories that have already been told, Lachlan Nikolai and Bowen stories are all told with a different slant.
Also, Garreth is just the most loyal pup ever. He follows her all over the world for a year. While she keeps trying to shake him but not in a nice way. I kept imagining a cross of the jungle cruise with the Rock and Lost City during the Amazon boat parts. I’m pretty sure the descriptions in this book also described visuals of this movie. It’s ok, it works.
After the Amazonian adventures with lothaire randomly showing up as well as a new panther shape shifter, Lucia is finally nearing the end of her quest. Why she doesn’t just come clean with Garreth about WHY he can’t go with her to kill the evil god I don’t know. But it ends very poorly for the werewolf, descending in to madness and fully claimed by his beast. It was really sad to imagine him this way and so distraught. The last little bit was angsty. You know the kids are gonna work it out, but I think the author enjoyed torturing us just a little bit. And there book ends with a serious set up for the next book….so on to the next!!

Not my favourite. Felt indifferent to them both at various points. I felt bad for Malkolm knowing how easily he was manipulated and how hurt he’s be. But then once they made their way to the little cabin, Carrow didn’t give up and he couldn’t get over he trust issues. I mean - I get it.
Overall I found this book pretty easy to put down and pick up - I wasn’t invested beyond finding out whatever the deal is with the mortals. So - on to the next tomorrow!

Neoptera sound disgusting. Aiden was creeping on a preteen regan - yuck. But at least he did wait till she was old enough. Anyhoo - chase is all kinds of ducked up but I guess that works for regan. I was very curious about the side relationships that were hinted and I can’t wait to hear more. Thad, Natalya, Brandt, Vincente and the succubus. And lothaire ‘s book is next. Can’t wait. I’m expecting big things.

The hype was worth it!!! Like, could feel Lothaire madness and grip on reality fluctuating. And his history, esp with Nix. Ellie was so strong and she calmed him. Storya was a huge B. Glad to see the business with dorado and the ring played out to a useful way. I’m curious about Hag and Thad. This book had an overall different vibe than the few before. Less action, more character driven. And I’ll say the hottest book yet.

Trehan = hot vampire. He listens to his mate, and denies his instinct. Resulting in some questionable actions on his part. But he tries soooo hard with her. Not a single misstep. Until his cloudy judgement of not biting his mate screws it all up for him. But - Battina was so young and naive it was difficult to swallow at times. She thought her best pal cas was it for her. But she didn’t know the difference between friend love and hot vampire love….until she did.

I liked the role Lothaire played. And as most of the books of the series - enough little crumbs are left to make you curious about the next, and to see certain scenes from different perspectives.

Again Trehan is hot, dark, sexy hunky vampire who is smart, logical, and thoughtful mostly. He helps her overcome anxiety and supports her artistic endeavors. Almost perfect.

Macreive is tragic. He was abused at a young age, too young to know he was being groomed. So as an adult he’s really messed up. Add on to that his imprisonment and torture - he’s ready to jump in the immortal fire pit. Until he scents his mate. He is so awesome and sweet with Chloe when they first meet. So charming handsome sexy and delicious. But then Chloe turns - she’s not a mortal, she’s half succubus! Well - macreive has major issues with this due to his abuse and family tragedy and broken relationship with his beast and sexual self. He is MEAN to Chloe. He just barely has the ability to process and function. His instinct is warring with himself about her. But for the good of the pack he takes her to isolated Scotland to save the inmates males in the pack. He resolves himself to be bound to her even though she’s part succibus. But - once back at his ancestral home he starts to figure out what he needs to do to keep her safe. And he learns a lot about himself and his prejudices. He really was an ignorant bastard.

Oh - and he’s the chieftain of his clan in Nova Scotia :)

The different realms and adventures seemed kinda like a juvenile questing story. It wasn’t as cool as some of the other questing stories. Thronos got sexier somehow as the book went on. I never knew wings did it for me, but apparently they do. Lanthe got better as the book went on.

Book title is a play on Rune is ruin. He hates being called ruin, so of course Jo calls him this to get him riled up. Ruin is another tragic backstory hero hacking who’s body fluids are literally poison. At age 15 he’s forced to become a sexual assassin. Then a sex slave. Now a “secret master” who gets his intel by having sex with nymphs. Even though he’s part demon he doesn’t believe he has a mate. He’s a bit dumb about understanding what sex means to other people. It might be meaningless currency to him, but he’s a dummy when he doesn’t try to understand Jo about the issue.
Jo is……unsympathetic to me. I’m not a fan of her attitude or the “hulk smash” approach she has to everything. So stubborn to her detriment. Doesn’t think, just acts. She is completely ignorant about what she is and the Lore. She first encounters Rune thinking he might be able to help her understand and answer questions she has. But then won’t confide in him at all??? She just makes no sense to me. But once she bites Rune they are both completely affected. The sexual tension is so hot.
We got
More of Thad! He’s Jo’s little brother. And seeing him return makes me hopeful that he will have his own book, and we will get a golden retriever hero in the IAD world.