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jynx66's review
4.0
Posted At: Riverina Romantics
My Rating: 4 out of 5 *
Hotness Rating: 3 out of 5 <3
The Dark Crescent Sisterhood is in shambles after the events of Bound by Light. Triads have been destroyed, horrible losses, and everyone is trying their best to pick up the pieces and move on.
I can understand how devastated people can be when they lose those they care about, especially in large numbers in an epic fight. I also understand that it takes time to grieve, but I felt like Bela was taking it a tad to the extreme. Every other paragraph, it seemed like, she was blaming herself for her old triad's death, she was doubting herself, she was pretty much mentally abusing herself. Not to mention the rest of her new quad got along like vinegar and water. It was constant arguing, constant fighting, messing up in battles...just a whole lot of issues. I know new groups don't always mesh together right away, but with them it was like there was a solid wall around each of them and nobody cared to even try. Honestly, that really was the only issue I had with this book.
Bela herself was a good heroine, but she was so messed up I felt disconnected from her for most of the book. I could see her relationships with her quad and Duncan developing, but I felt a void where I should have felt her emotions. Otherwise she was an incredibly strong and determined woman. She did her best to hold her quad together and defeat the brand new bad guys in town. She knew her role in her quad and did everything in her power--literally--to be the foundation of their group. When it came to Duncan, things happened so strangely I'm not even sure if I believe her feelings for him. From the moment she saw him, things just kinda went into warp speed and the next thing I know, she can't stand being away from him. I'm not saying that it can't happen, but when there is a void of emotion; it makes it a little harder to keep up. But overall she was a good heroine and a good leader.
I don't think I could have adored Duncan anymore than I did. He was good to his core, despite the infection spreading through him. I could feel his connection to Bela, his emotions were deep and real. He just wanted to find a way to stop his infection and help the Sisterhood at the same time. He used every one of his skills and abilities to give them even the slightest head start against the Rakshasa. Now only did he connect with Bela, but he forged genuine connections with the rest of her quad. He became an integral part of them. He sacrificed his sanity and his life for them, which made him a hero in my eyes. He was selfless and caring, and in the end, he was perfect.
The new enemy, honestly, is kinda frightening. They seem almost impossible to defeat, but I'm looking forward to seeing how the Sisterhood manages to do it. I just wish the chemistry between Duncan and Bela didn't seem so one-sided. It would have been a lot more potent. But overall it was a very good book and good continuation into the next trilogy.
My Rating: 4 out of 5 *
Hotness Rating: 3 out of 5 <3
The Dark Crescent Sisterhood is in shambles after the events of Bound by Light. Triads have been destroyed, horrible losses, and everyone is trying their best to pick up the pieces and move on.
I can understand how devastated people can be when they lose those they care about, especially in large numbers in an epic fight. I also understand that it takes time to grieve, but I felt like Bela was taking it a tad to the extreme. Every other paragraph, it seemed like, she was blaming herself for her old triad's death, she was doubting herself, she was pretty much mentally abusing herself. Not to mention the rest of her new quad got along like vinegar and water. It was constant arguing, constant fighting, messing up in battles...just a whole lot of issues. I know new groups don't always mesh together right away, but with them it was like there was a solid wall around each of them and nobody cared to even try. Honestly, that really was the only issue I had with this book.
Bela herself was a good heroine, but she was so messed up I felt disconnected from her for most of the book. I could see her relationships with her quad and Duncan developing, but I felt a void where I should have felt her emotions. Otherwise she was an incredibly strong and determined woman. She did her best to hold her quad together and defeat the brand new bad guys in town. She knew her role in her quad and did everything in her power--literally--to be the foundation of their group. When it came to Duncan, things happened so strangely I'm not even sure if I believe her feelings for him. From the moment she saw him, things just kinda went into warp speed and the next thing I know, she can't stand being away from him. I'm not saying that it can't happen, but when there is a void of emotion; it makes it a little harder to keep up. But overall she was a good heroine and a good leader.
I don't think I could have adored Duncan anymore than I did. He was good to his core, despite the infection spreading through him. I could feel his connection to Bela, his emotions were deep and real. He just wanted to find a way to stop his infection and help the Sisterhood at the same time. He used every one of his skills and abilities to give them even the slightest head start against the Rakshasa. Now only did he connect with Bela, but he forged genuine connections with the rest of her quad. He became an integral part of them. He sacrificed his sanity and his life for them, which made him a hero in my eyes. He was selfless and caring, and in the end, he was perfect.
The new enemy, honestly, is kinda frightening. They seem almost impossible to defeat, but I'm looking forward to seeing how the Sisterhood manages to do it. I just wish the chemistry between Duncan and Bela didn't seem so one-sided. It would have been a lot more potent. But overall it was a very good book and good continuation into the next trilogy.
laurenjodi's review
3.0
Captive Spirit
3 Stars
Series Note: This in book #1 in the 2nd Dark Crescent Sisterhood trilogy. The first trilogy should be read for the backstory.
Disappointing. The opening scenes have potential but it all fizzles out as the story develops and the book ultimately pales in comparison to the first trilogy.
Most significantly, Bela Argos, the take no prisoners Sibyl from the earlier books, is now a mere shadow of her former self. She is no longer a confident warrior and leader but someone who constantly questions her decisions and abilities. The hero's characterization is also contradictory. On the one hand, Duncan is described as a determined fighter with an amazing strength of will who succeeds against all odds yet he accepts his fate as inevitable and his willing to sacrifice himself without fight.
Duncan and Bela's romance and its resolution are problematic as well. Their relationship comes out of nowhere with no foundation or build up. They are simply together with no explanation of exactly what they see in each other. Similarly, the solution to Duncan's demon possession appears out of the blue and feels tacked on.
In terms of the villains, Raksasha from Hindu mythology, it is impossible not to compare them to the same creatures in Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews. Unfortunately, Windsor's portrayal comes off as a diluted version of the monstrous creatures in Andrews' book. A number of scenes in the beginning are presented from their perspective, which initially serves to ratchet up the tension. However, these disappear toward the middle and the villains are nowhere to be seen until the final anti-climactic showdown.
The secondary characters make a better impression, especially Andy, now a water Sibyl, and John Blackmore, whose adversarial relationship is definitely leading somewhere. The next book is that of Camille, the fire Sibyl, and Duncan's childhood friend, John Cole. Hopefully, it will be better than this one.
3 Stars
Series Note: This in book #1 in the 2nd Dark Crescent Sisterhood trilogy. The first trilogy should be read for the backstory.
Disappointing. The opening scenes have potential but it all fizzles out as the story develops and the book ultimately pales in comparison to the first trilogy.
Most significantly, Bela Argos, the take no prisoners Sibyl from the earlier books, is now a mere shadow of her former self. She is no longer a confident warrior and leader but someone who constantly questions her decisions and abilities. The hero's characterization is also contradictory. On the one hand, Duncan is described as a determined fighter with an amazing strength of will who succeeds against all odds yet he accepts his fate as inevitable and his willing to sacrifice himself without fight.
Duncan and Bela's romance and its resolution are problematic as well. Their relationship comes out of nowhere with no foundation or build up. They are simply together with no explanation of exactly what they see in each other. Similarly, the solution to Duncan's demon possession appears out of the blue and feels tacked on.
In terms of the villains, Raksasha from Hindu mythology, it is impossible not to compare them to the same creatures in Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews. Unfortunately, Windsor's portrayal comes off as a diluted version of the monstrous creatures in Andrews' book. A number of scenes in the beginning are presented from their perspective, which initially serves to ratchet up the tension. However, these disappear toward the middle and the villains are nowhere to be seen until the final anti-climactic showdown.
The secondary characters make a better impression, especially Andy, now a water Sibyl, and John Blackmore, whose adversarial relationship is definitely leading somewhere. The next book is that of Camille, the fire Sibyl, and Duncan's childhood friend, John Cole. Hopefully, it will be better than this one.
atlantiareads's review
4.0
Even though this is the fourth book in the series you can read it as a stand alone, the author doesn’t leave you wondering about anything that has happened in previous books. I have not read the first three books and this book still made perfect sense. I love when an author can pull that off. Like i mentioned in a previous post i could not wait to share my thoughts on this book with you guys! It was so refreshingly different. Not only are there sybils but there are were-demons as well! The sybils are warriors, but not just any warriors they are women with control of certain elements.
Bela Argos can control the earth, she can also sense where someone is within like a fifty mile radius(approximately). She lost her first group of sybils during the war with the Legion. Three years later she is bringing together all of the elements; Air, Water, Fire, and Earth also known as Dio, Andy, Camille and herself. These women have been through a lot and they are all damaged. Not to mention Dio’s sister was one of Bela’s first triad members, and she was killed. Dio holds Bela personally responsible. This adds a lot of tension to the quad-the first quad in history- and Bela already has plenty of problems to deal with.
Then there is Duncan Sharp, he is a NYPD detective. He has seen war and death and now he is tracking the killer who is moving up the coast killing women. That’s not even the worst part, the main suspect is John Cole, a childhood friend. When he finds John some crazy shit happens and lets just say Duncan doesn’t exactly believe what he is seeing. Especially when a group of women in leather come to his rescue after he is attacked. That is when he meets his angel, Bela.
John Cole seems to think that there are supernatural beings at work and is out to find who is killing women. He works for a special branch of the police that deals with these particular problems. John has a pretty good idea of who is killing these women, they are called the Rakshasa.
The Rakshasa can change form into humans but their true form is a large cat, sort of like a lions without souls. Strada is the leader of the pride in New York and he is out to kill the man who killed his brothers-John Cole. There are a few things that have changed though, John Cole is in Duncan Sharps head and Duncan is being protected by a large group of sybils.
Now as you can see there is a lot going on in the book, not to mention all the things i didn’t spoil for you :) And let me tell you there is so much that i didn’t tell you. This book had such a different story line that i didn’t even realize that i was reading a book. I felt like i was living inside Duncan and Bela’s heads. I must say i am glad i chose to read this book! If you guys like a steamy romance (which is implied considering what the main focus is on my blog) and a crazy enemy coming after the hero and heroine than you will most definitely love this read! :D
Bela Argos can control the earth, she can also sense where someone is within like a fifty mile radius(approximately). She lost her first group of sybils during the war with the Legion. Three years later she is bringing together all of the elements; Air, Water, Fire, and Earth also known as Dio, Andy, Camille and herself. These women have been through a lot and they are all damaged. Not to mention Dio’s sister was one of Bela’s first triad members, and she was killed. Dio holds Bela personally responsible. This adds a lot of tension to the quad-the first quad in history- and Bela already has plenty of problems to deal with.
Then there is Duncan Sharp, he is a NYPD detective. He has seen war and death and now he is tracking the killer who is moving up the coast killing women. That’s not even the worst part, the main suspect is John Cole, a childhood friend. When he finds John some crazy shit happens and lets just say Duncan doesn’t exactly believe what he is seeing. Especially when a group of women in leather come to his rescue after he is attacked. That is when he meets his angel, Bela.
John Cole seems to think that there are supernatural beings at work and is out to find who is killing women. He works for a special branch of the police that deals with these particular problems. John has a pretty good idea of who is killing these women, they are called the Rakshasa.
The Rakshasa can change form into humans but their true form is a large cat, sort of like a lions without souls. Strada is the leader of the pride in New York and he is out to kill the man who killed his brothers-John Cole. There are a few things that have changed though, John Cole is in Duncan Sharps head and Duncan is being protected by a large group of sybils.
Now as you can see there is a lot going on in the book, not to mention all the things i didn’t spoil for you :) And let me tell you there is so much that i didn’t tell you. This book had such a different story line that i didn’t even realize that i was reading a book. I felt like i was living inside Duncan and Bela’s heads. I must say i am glad i chose to read this book! If you guys like a steamy romance (which is implied considering what the main focus is on my blog) and a crazy enemy coming after the hero and heroine than you will most definitely love this read! :D
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