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birdloveranne's review against another edition
5.0
Loved the story. So disappointed that there is as yet no story for Dallas or Mia's brother.
bookloverchelle's review
4.0
Even though I'm pretty sure I would have purchased this book for the cover alone, the contents after the cover are well worth it. If this is your first venture in to the Alien Huntress series, put this down and go back to book one. There are too many cross characters that would be confusing if you're reading this story first. That being said, this was a great read! I loved the interaction between Hector and Noelle. On the outside they are book so tough but inside they both share such vulnerabilities and insecurities. By learning to trust each other they learn to not only share their bodies but their hearts as well. Great continuation of the series, wonderful build in the characters in this story. I can't wait for what comes next!
naomilane's review
5.0
I've said it before and I'll say it again, Gena Showalter is the freaking best! DARK TASTE OF RAPTURE was amazing, it was so good, guys. I couldn't stop reading it and I actually didn't. And, have you seen that cover?!
I knew even before reading this book that I'd love Hector and I was not wrong! Before DARK TASTE OF RAPTURE, I only had one Hector in my life, THE Hector of all Hectors. You guessed it. Hector Chavez aka Hispanic Hottie aka Double H. Kristen Ashley brought him into my life and I never thought I would love another Hector as much as I love him but, for once, I was wrong. Gena-I-can-write-anything-I-m-so-good-at-my-job-Showalter happened and another Hector found his way into my heart.
"He didn't tease, he snarled. He didn't flirt, he informed."Hector Dean is a badass character. Shaved, powerful, tattooed, sexy, strong, you know, everything important in a man. I loved him and well, just thinking about that cover had me lusting over him even more. What can I say, I'm a shallow woman. He also had some unimportant and quite useless qualities, he was loyal, smart, selfless, the kind of guy that everybody hates, right?!
Calm down, people. I'm only half-joking! Of course I was lusting after him, of course I'm shallow but even if Hector had been ugly as hell, I'd have still loved him (maybe not as much but still). He was just the kind of guy that you can't not love. He was frustrating at times, yes, but he had his reasons.
"I don't hate you, Noelle. I fucking crave you."Noelle was a super pleasant surprise for me. I was afraid of her character, I didn't like her that much in the previous book but I simply loved her in this one. We get to know her better, see past her bitchy attitude and we realized that all of it is an act. She's still the same Noelle as before, badass, not afraid to fight, maybe worse than Ava, but she has so much more to offer than just her fake girly facade. Noelle is vulnerable, Ava is the only constant in her life and besides Ava, no one knows the real her and she likes it that way. Noelle is a woman who was hurt too many times, who was never enough for her family and now she doesn't want to be disappointed and crushed by other people, so she keeps everyone at a distance.
"There were so many facets to her personality, he thought. The playful little girl, the vicious revenge-hungry woman. The seductress, the innocent. The giver, the taker. The game-player.What an explosive and sexy duo! I absolutely loved them together. Best.Couple.Ever! They were good for each other, just exactly what the other needed. Not gonna lie, they were frustrating as hell. Hector can't get close to a woman because when he gets too excited or angry his arms start to glow and he burns everything to ashes. He killed his one and only
He wanted to fuck them all.
Spoiler
(YES, Hector is a freaking virgin and I loved it. He wasn't shy about sex or anything like that but he never had the chance to actually do it. WHAT A SHAME!"He couldn't masturbate his sexual desires away because he'd fry off his cock."So, yeah, it was annoying to see them going at it and then Hector was all like: "We can never do it again!" - "I'll hurt you and I'll never forgive myself!" - "Noooooo!". But Noelle never gave up on him and I loved her for it, she was stubborn and ready to make him cave. You go Noelle!
"Noelle was a lot of things--spoiled, sometimes cruel and clueless, always gorgeous--but never a coward."Loved the secondary characters, as usual with this series. I was so happy to see more of Ava and McKell, the wedding scene, when Noelle realized that, in a way, she was losing her best friend, made me cry like a newborn.
"You and me, we'll be together for eternity. Probably not in heaven, but we'll still be together. You know that, right?"And more of beautiful Devyn. And Dallas, still hoping to have his story soon because that ending man...he needs his HEA and not with the crazy Schon queen!
"I do not cackle. I bitch like a he-man."The storyline here wasn't connected to the previous books at all. It's an all new story and it was very interesting. Hector and Noelle's relationship was the focus of the book but it was still intriguing and with it came a character that I had forgotten but now I really wanna learn more about him. So, yes, Gena dearest, you need to write the next book as soon as you can.
DARK TASTE OF RAPTURE was, once again, a big YES from me. I'm addicted to Gena Showalter, she's my new drug. If you haven't yet read that series or this book, do it now or fear my wrath!
"Say you want me, damn it," he snarled.PS. This book had so many good lines/quotes, I highlighted too many on my Kindle and I wish I could post them all here. But here's another one that I loved:
Arousal slid down her spine and pooled between her legs. This forceful side of him electrified her. "I want you, damn it."
"In fact, he kept his head shaved to a glossy shine for just that reason. He was a man willing to do anything to discourage feminine attention.
Because yeah, females could be vanity hounds and most preferred their dates to have hair. Black, blond, red, it didn't matter, as long as the locks were thick and lustrous. And here was a news flash for little Miss Giggles: when he allowed his to grow, it was dark brown, nearly jet, with hints of gold and worthy of a fucking lion.
Not that he was feeling defensive or anything."
jodinicole2023's review
5.0
I loved this book. I didn't realize Gena Showalter had a alien series. I'm hooked. The world was relatable but also depicted a futurist world and the tension between the characters was wild.
laurenjodi's review
3.0
Dark Taste of Rapture
3 Stars
AIR agent in training, Noelle Tremain has her libido and heart set on her instructor, Hector Dean. Unfortunately, Hector is determined to keep Noelle at arms length, literally, as he is unable to control his deadly ability to kill with touch. But when Noelle and Hector are partnered on a case, there will be no escaping the smoldering passion between them.
Series note: This is the final book in Showalter's Alien Huntress series. However, the spin-off, Otherworld Assassin, is set in the same world and apparently continue the storylines.
To begin with, the exact nature and origin of Hector power is never explained. Moreover, his fear that his ability will harm or kill Noelle is understandable, but his repeated rejections, both physical and emotional, undermine the romance as Noelle's determination to have him makes her appear weak and spineless. This is exacerbated by her lack of self-confidence, which her snarky façade never manages to entirely mask.
Speaking of the snark, it is excessive, overdone and ridiculous. It is difficult to take characters seriously when they speak and behave like overgrown teenagers at a frat party.
The plot diverges from the Schön Queen storyline in the last few installments and returns to the alien sex trafficking arc from the first couple of books. This would be not be a problem if the investigation wasn't underdeveloped and slipshod. There is no real build up of suspense and the resolution is rushed and anti-climactic.
In sum, this is a disappointing end to the series as the romance is lackluster and the ongoing story arcs remain unresolved. Hopefully, the first book in the spin-off will provide some closure.
3 Stars
AIR agent in training, Noelle Tremain has her libido and heart set on her instructor, Hector Dean. Unfortunately, Hector is determined to keep Noelle at arms length, literally, as he is unable to control his deadly ability to kill with touch. But when Noelle and Hector are partnered on a case, there will be no escaping the smoldering passion between them.
Series note: This is the final book in Showalter's Alien Huntress series. However, the spin-off, Otherworld Assassin, is set in the same world and apparently continue the storylines.
To begin with, the exact nature and origin of Hector power is never explained. Moreover, his fear that his ability will harm or kill Noelle is understandable, but his repeated rejections, both physical and emotional, undermine the romance as Noelle's determination to have him makes her appear weak and spineless. This is exacerbated by her lack of self-confidence, which her snarky façade never manages to entirely mask.
Speaking of the snark, it is excessive, overdone and ridiculous. It is difficult to take characters seriously when they speak and behave like overgrown teenagers at a frat party.
The plot diverges from the Schön Queen storyline in the last few installments and returns to the alien sex trafficking arc from the first couple of books. This would be not be a problem if the investigation wasn't underdeveloped and slipshod. There is no real build up of suspense and the resolution is rushed and anti-climactic.
In sum, this is a disappointing end to the series as the romance is lackluster and the ongoing story arcs remain unresolved. Hopefully, the first book in the spin-off will provide some closure.
spiringvenus's review
4.0
A hero and heroine I truly enjoyed got together in this book. I'm so sad it is the last in the series! I know there is a New Adult series, but that doesn't have the steaminess I love. The relationship developed naturally and it helped that they had a year to grow. They did something smart and waited until their teacher/student relationship was over before they jumped into anything. Bravo for character brains!
atlantic_reader_wannabe's review
5.0
This book is another example of how talented Gena Showalter is as a writer! Raunchy sex scenes, fighting evil/darkness and kick-assery supreme! The fact that the female lead, Noelle Tremain, has the same first name I do. I don't often come across that. I can never resist a book that has a character with the same first name as me. I do think I'll be recommending this book to my friends, if only to prove that my name can be attached to an amazing female lead character!