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lanica's review against another edition
1.0
Okay, what can I say about this book...well, honestly, I hated it. What to know why? Read on.
I tried to start it several times because I won it in on the giveaway page and knew a review was expected. Each time I started reading it I got a little way in and was turned off by the language and the erotic nature of the book. I picked it up because I'd been on an urban-fantasy kick and thought it sounded interesting. Well, I love Harry Dresden and despise Sookie Stackhouse. Phoenix sounded like Dresden from the jacket, but turned out to be even worse than Sookie once I started reading.
First the language. The main character is in her twenties, an ex-cop, and a hard-luck case from the streets. She's rough and tough and not the brightest bulb in the bunch - unless she needs to know something - like the years of the crusades - yeah, then she just plucks them out of the sky. And, you know when people add a questioning 'much' to the end of a sentence to make it mean something. You know like "Overindulge, much?" or "Paranoid, much?". Yeah. I hate that. She thinks like that. The writing is simple and the dialogue is stilted, but the worst part is that the thought process of the protagonist is so flighty. She reads like a prom queen with a minimal IQ. Wasn't I just told that she's supposed to be street-wise and tough? Unrealistic, much? Arg!
It felt to me like the author thought to herself, "What sells: Sex!" Then thought - "Now, if some's good then more's better. Hmmm, how can I get as much sex in a book as possible?"
Well her answer was two-fold. First - she created a magical power that allows characters to gain more magical powers from others by having sex with them. It's not gender specific. Anyone can sleep with anyone...whatever. Second, Handeland decides to have the main character get raped, twice. But after the initial rapes she decided it was all okay and then had sex with these two different man again - of her own free will. Right...
Oh, and each session of sex wasn't just - sex. It was mind-blowing, exceptional, never-ending multiple-orgasmic for all involved every time. Right...
True love - um, yeah that was mentioned somewhere, but no one ever said that they loved each other...although maybe they did in the past. And they might again in the future - if they didn't hate each other so much.
I didn't see an 'erotica' tag on this book when I requested it - the supernatural aspects were played up, the romance was talked about, but really, this book is about several sex scenes tied together with a simple plot that's been done before.
I know, you're asking who am I to give such a review? What credentials do I have? Am I a published author? No, I'm not...but having read this trash I feel better about my chances should I send my as-yet-unwritten manuscripts out. All I need is a thin plot and some mad crazy sex...
I tried to start it several times because I won it in on the giveaway page and knew a review was expected. Each time I started reading it I got a little way in and was turned off by the language and the erotic nature of the book. I picked it up because I'd been on an urban-fantasy kick and thought it sounded interesting. Well, I love Harry Dresden and despise Sookie Stackhouse. Phoenix sounded like Dresden from the jacket, but turned out to be even worse than Sookie once I started reading.
First the language. The main character is in her twenties, an ex-cop, and a hard-luck case from the streets. She's rough and tough and not the brightest bulb in the bunch - unless she needs to know something - like the years of the crusades - yeah, then she just plucks them out of the sky. And, you know when people add a questioning 'much' to the end of a sentence to make it mean something. You know like "Overindulge, much?" or "Paranoid, much?". Yeah. I hate that. She thinks like that. The writing is simple and the dialogue is stilted, but the worst part is that the thought process of the protagonist is so flighty. She reads like a prom queen with a minimal IQ. Wasn't I just told that she's supposed to be street-wise and tough? Unrealistic, much? Arg!
It felt to me like the author thought to herself, "What sells: Sex!" Then thought - "Now, if some's good then more's better. Hmmm, how can I get as much sex in a book as possible?"
Well her answer was two-fold. First - she created a magical power that allows characters to gain more magical powers from others by having sex with them. It's not gender specific. Anyone can sleep with anyone...whatever. Second, Handeland decides to have the main character get raped, twice. But after the initial rapes she decided it was all okay and then had sex with these two different man again - of her own free will. Right...
Oh, and each session of sex wasn't just - sex. It was mind-blowing, exceptional, never-ending multiple-orgasmic for all involved every time. Right...
True love - um, yeah that was mentioned somewhere, but no one ever said that they loved each other...although maybe they did in the past. And they might again in the future - if they didn't hate each other so much.
I didn't see an 'erotica' tag on this book when I requested it - the supernatural aspects were played up, the romance was talked about, but really, this book is about several sex scenes tied together with a simple plot that's been done before.
I know, you're asking who am I to give such a review? What credentials do I have? Am I a published author? No, I'm not...but having read this trash I feel better about my chances should I send my as-yet-unwritten manuscripts out. All I need is a thin plot and some mad crazy sex...
hectaizani's review against another edition
3.0
In the past couple of years the paranormal romance genre has surged with mixed results. Where there were once only a few authors writing stories laced with sex, vampires and witches, lately it seems as though a new series pops up every day.
Lori Handeland is no stranger to the genre, her Nightcreatures series has won several awards including a RITA and a National Reader's Choice.
Her new series The Phoenix Chronicles is a fast paced thriller that revolves around protagonist Elizabeth Phoenix. Elizabeth, or Lizzy to her friends, is someone just like you and me, except that she's psychic - and has been chosen by destiny to lead the army that will save the world.
Lizzy has greatness thrust upon her, as she goes from simple barmaid to head of the Seers. As a Seer she is responsible for guiding her demon killers to their targets. Unfortunately for her her powers are blocked and she can only sense the supernatural by touch, way too dangerous as a touch can kill. So to free her powers she must revisit her past.
The Phoenix Chronicles is an urban fantasy, highly reminescent of Laurell Hamilton's Anita Blake series. Which is no accident as the author states on her jacket copy that "she wanted to write something just like that". Lizzy doesn't spend quite as much time in bed as Anita, that's not to say that the sex scenes aren't plentiful, just that there's a bit more plot surrounding them.
Lori Handeland is no stranger to the genre, her Nightcreatures series has won several awards including a RITA and a National Reader's Choice.
Her new series The Phoenix Chronicles is a fast paced thriller that revolves around protagonist Elizabeth Phoenix. Elizabeth, or Lizzy to her friends, is someone just like you and me, except that she's psychic - and has been chosen by destiny to lead the army that will save the world.
Lizzy has greatness thrust upon her, as she goes from simple barmaid to head of the Seers. As a Seer she is responsible for guiding her demon killers to their targets. Unfortunately for her her powers are blocked and she can only sense the supernatural by touch, way too dangerous as a touch can kill. So to free her powers she must revisit her past.
The Phoenix Chronicles is an urban fantasy, highly reminescent of Laurell Hamilton's Anita Blake series. Which is no accident as the author states on her jacket copy that "she wanted to write something just like that". Lizzy doesn't spend quite as much time in bed as Anita, that's not to say that the sex scenes aren't plentiful, just that there's a bit more plot surrounding them.
charitypink's review against another edition
5.0
I thought this was a really good start to a new series. I was so excited to get an advance copy of one of Lori Handeland's books. And now I have to wait until next year for the next installment!! And just a side note, I've emailed the author a few times, and she is always nice and always responds in a day or so, which is really cool:-)
kitty_whimsical's review against another edition
1.0
This was a book that I won through through First Reads giveaways a while ago, but I never actually finished it until recently.
It was so disappointing. I can see a lot of potential in this book and these characters, and I understand that there are several sequels, so maybe the story grows later on, but the way that it begins is less than thrilling (to me). I couldn't relate to the main character at all. This is a big turn-off for me. I found the main character's abilities to be ridiculous (the fact that she has to have sex to gain powers is absurd).
I didn't like it. I tried to.
It was so disappointing. I can see a lot of potential in this book and these characters, and I understand that there are several sequels, so maybe the story grows later on, but the way that it begins is less than thrilling (to me). I couldn't relate to the main character at all. This is a big turn-off for me. I found the main character's abilities to be ridiculous (the fact that she has to have sex to gain powers is absurd).
I didn't like it. I tried to.
blodeuedd's review against another edition
1.0
What to say? It did not work for me and I started skimming...a lot. I just never connected to the world or the characters. In UF that is important for me. For some reason I can read PNR and feel eh, but UF, no!
Stuff happened, the heroine did things , yawn. Honestly it failed for me. The reason is connection and that I just do not care or have anything more to say. It had promise, just not for me.
I did see that later books have better ratings so many it improves, but for me it will be too late
Stuff happened, the heroine did things , yawn. Honestly it failed for me. The reason is connection and that I just do not care or have anything more to say. It had promise, just not for me.
I did see that later books have better ratings so many it improves, but for me it will be too late
jennyoung75's review against another edition
1.0
I thought the premise to this book was interesting but the execution was terrible. The story is dragged down by a bunch of worthless information.
The worst part about this book though, are the sex scenes. I am sorry but rape (you cant really call it anything else) is not sexy and has not place in what is essentially a romance novel. BLEH!
The worst part about this book though, are the sex scenes. I am sorry but rape (you cant really call it anything else) is not sexy and has not place in what is essentially a romance novel. BLEH!
dukefn99's review against another edition
4.0
Read my review at http://romancing-the-book.com/2008/11/jens-review-any-given-doomsday-by-lori-handeland.html
hoosgracie's review against another edition
3.0
Enjoyable first book in a series. Good amount of action with some sex added in. Got this from the Early Reviewers group. Will look for the second book when it comes along.
impybelle's review against another edition
3.0
For the most part I actually really enjoyed AGD. I was immediately sucked into Lizbeth's world and actually wanted to know what had gone on before we'd joined up with her and what would happen. Sometimes just as I thought something, someone would say it, or at least mention whatever had been bothering me, and that's almost always a plus.
The first problem comes up about the time Jimmy and Liz run to Sawyer. Lizzie there lets herself believe the sex with Sawyer is just a dream even though it's painfully obvious that's not the case. And... because they're racing towards a vague doomsday, Sawyer gets away with what Liz, and I, pretty much consider rape. So, the book got put down for a bit.
It still called and I figured she wasn't too thrilled about it, but maybe given time, after averting the end of the world, she'd kick his ass. I still hold out hope, by the way. i suspect other people may find this even more vexing than I did.
And the rest of the book kind of races towards the end, in a mostly good sort of way, up until it's time to kill the Strega.
I'm sorry, but the explanation given makes no sense. At all. I can buy that when Liz is told "blood of his blood" they meant it literally and Jimmy's blood on the stake is what did the job, or that Jimmy himself had to kill the Strega, but simply absorbing Jimmy's powers should NOT give Liz the ability to kill the big bad. You can't transfer that sort of thing. It... doesn't work.
So, I hope that sometime in the next book or before the book is officially released someone, somewhere, deals with that. I can accept that Sawyer was wrong in his information as to how to kill the Strega. I can accept the aforementioned literal blood interpretation, and I can even accept that Jimmy and Liz are related, and thus it wasn't Jimmy's connection at all that did the Strega in, but if someone else's blood bound destiny can be transferred like that, I think I'm going to go insane.
And that's what's keeping the book from getting that extra star.
The first problem comes up about the time Jimmy and Liz run to Sawyer. Lizzie there lets herself believe the sex with Sawyer is just a dream even though it's painfully obvious that's not the case. And... because they're racing towards a vague doomsday, Sawyer gets away with what Liz, and I, pretty much consider rape. So, the book got put down for a bit.
It still called and I figured she wasn't too thrilled about it, but maybe given time, after averting the end of the world, she'd kick his ass. I still hold out hope, by the way. i suspect other people may find this even more vexing than I did.
And the rest of the book kind of races towards the end, in a mostly good sort of way, up until it's time to kill the Strega.
I'm sorry, but the explanation given makes no sense. At all. I can buy that when Liz is told "blood of his blood" they meant it literally and Jimmy's blood on the stake is what did the job, or that Jimmy himself had to kill the Strega, but simply absorbing Jimmy's powers should NOT give Liz the ability to kill the big bad. You can't transfer that sort of thing. It... doesn't work.
So, I hope that sometime in the next book or before the book is officially released someone, somewhere, deals with that. I can accept that Sawyer was wrong in his information as to how to kill the Strega. I can accept the aforementioned literal blood interpretation, and I can even accept that Jimmy and Liz are related, and thus it wasn't Jimmy's connection at all that did the Strega in, but if someone else's blood bound destiny can be transferred like that, I think I'm going to go insane.
And that's what's keeping the book from getting that extra star.
manadabomb's review against another edition
2.0
I snagged an Advanced Reading Copy of this book, the start of the Phoenix Chronicles. The book centers on Elizabeth Phoenix, a psychic cop-turned-bartender-turned-seer. Elizabeth, along with Jimmy, a fellow orphan and Elizabeth's first love, and Sawyer, an ancient Navajo know it all, are out to lead the fight against the supernatural evil.
All in all, this wasn't a bad novel and I'll be interested in what the rest of the series brings. However, I think this bordered to much on the Anita Blake type plots, all the way down to the sex sex and wait...more sex. The author admits on the back cover that she wanted to write like Laurell K. Hamilton, I just think it's a little to much like her. I ended up skipping all the many sex scenes, trying to find the fight against evil scenes. Apparently, sex is part of the fight against evil.
Ah well. I do want to see if this series improves and if it can wrench itself away from ... SEX!
All in all, this wasn't a bad novel and I'll be interested in what the rest of the series brings. However, I think this bordered to much on the Anita Blake type plots, all the way down to the sex sex and wait...more sex. The author admits on the back cover that she wanted to write like Laurell K. Hamilton, I just think it's a little to much like her. I ended up skipping all the many sex scenes, trying to find the fight against evil scenes. Apparently, sex is part of the fight against evil.
Ah well. I do want to see if this series improves and if it can wrench itself away from ... SEX!