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kathydavie's review against another edition
2.0
Second in the Sentinel Wars paranormal romantic suspense series revolving around several races banding together in an uneasy alliance to prevent the Synestryn from taking over the world and breaching the gate.
My Take
OK, you know it's really bad when you're hoping the good guys lose. I struggled through this installment, almost praying the bad guys would win. 'Cause the good guys are too stupid for words.
Supposedly the Sanguinar have allied with the Sentinels. In reality, they're biding their time using Sentinel blood to keep themselves alive [which is reasonable] and for their Project Lullaby. A top-secret project the details of which they have shared with the Slayers, "a violent, proud, and deadly race of shapeshifters" who seem to be an enemy of the Sentinels. Neither side trusts the other and treats each other more as an enemy than as a friend. Which isn't as bad as the Sentinels themselves. Every Sentinel hates the one who finds a woman to bond with. Joseph, their leader, insists that they bind the woman, force her to bond and stay with them.
Supposedly the Sentinels are protecting humans from the Synestryn [demons] because the Synestryn take away all choice. Well, the Sentinels are pretty mad keen to take away any woman's choice, so I'm not quite sure about that particular difference. And it's all trickle-down stupid right down to the individuals. Ooh, Paul desperately needs Andra to accept him forever so he doesn't die. But, does he explain anything to her? Why…no, what fun would that be. Instead, let's spend pages moaning and whining about what will happen when the time she has allotted him is up. God forbid Paul actually inform her of the facts. Just bloody irritating to read. I really am a glutton for punishment as I forced myself to read the whole stupid story.
Gawd, right from the beginning, the Sentinels refuse to actually give out any information. They simply jerk about and order everyone around so Butcher can create tension. They don't want Andra to give Logan any blood. Do they explain why? Pshaw. Gimme a break. Put some bloody effort into this! Which is really not fair of me to say because Butcher does have a great story. If she just found an editor who could give a shit.
Ya know, the Sentinels are all so in awe of the Sibyl, and yet they ignore her orders. What? They haven't figured out that what she sees happens? That she might have a reason for insisting certain things happen??
I sympathize with Andra wanting to help her sister. I really do. And I just want to smack her hard, oh, eight or 9,000 times. She keeps whining and bitching and jerking about. I'm not surprised her sister is doing so badly. So would I if I had to put up with Andra!
Okay, when Andra and Paul do that soul meld, and she sees snippets of Paul's past, how can she not question why Paul was in such pain when Kate rejected him and removed her necklace? When Andra vows to give him three days and "resentment rose up in his throat", why didn't he tell her about the effects of her leaving him? I'm assuming [ass + u + me] Paul is intelligent. Surely he could connect the dots between her continuous child-saving and, oh, I dunno, explaining how they could partner up and he could help her save even more children?? No, instead he whines about "how could she do this to him"? Well, how is she supposed to know??? Moron. How anyone can be expected to make an informed decision with dribs and drabs of information? Oh yeah, and then there's the whole "I will give you my power and you can save your sister" schtick. What?? Andra thinks you just press a button and voila the secrets of the universe are yours to manipulate with finesse?? I just about wanted a power surge to pour through her and burn her out!
In just one easy lesson, understand how to use a new power source with the skill of a neurosurgeon.
Then there's the scene where she practically rapes the poor guy. She taunts, she pushes, she teases. She only wants to take from Paul so she can help her sister, so she pushes him beyond his control…and stiffens up. Uses encouraging words like "I can deal with that". Oh yeah, that'd keep me stiff…not.
I'm not sure, really, just what good the Sentinels are. There is so much going on out there that they haven't a clue about.
Oh yeah, don't take a drop or two of Nika's blood 'cause it's just too much. So much better to take more time over it and give her a better chance of dying. Then we come to the part where we finally find out why Andra doesn't want to be with Paul. She thinks she failed her sisters, her mother. The fact that she had no training or concept that such creatures existed is, of course, no excuse.
I do have to remind myself that the female protagonist doesn't have the background of the story that I as the reader do, and it's not fair to expect her to react as if she had that knowledge. That said, there is a point when an author is just not paying attention. Butcher is jerking these poor slobs around so badly that paragraphs don't flow smoothly. It's more as if she wrote the paragraphs, printed 'em out, cut them apart, and then tossed 'em up in the air. Wherever they landed is where they got spliced in. Okay, gross exaggeration. She took some of the paragraphs away before she spliced 'em in so the paragraph jumps would be worse.
I hate these people. They're such cavemen. And not in a good way.
God save me from idotic, stupid, drama queens. Okay, okay, so I'm being a drama queen myself in this review. Read it. You'll turn into one, too!
The Story
Andra is preparing to rescue a six-year-old boy from monsters. It seems that this is all she does anymore. Night after night spent rescuing children from monsters. Only this night will be different as Paul, Logan, and Madoc are hunting for her.
Andra is lucky as she and Sammy escape the next descending group of monsters, but the boys lose her in the escape only to have Andra walk into her apartment and find Paul sitting on her couch. Some fast-talking keeps the boys in her apartment until Andra gets a call from the hospital. Her sister is fading fast and Andra tears out. Little does Andra know how lucky she is because Paul, Logan, and Madoc can all help her little sister. They can't cure her, but they can help prolong her life a bit longer. Get her to safety and away from the monsters who are chasing her.
But it's only Madoc who is able to get Nika to eat, to sleep. Andra is praying that being at the Sentinel fortress there will be all sorts of help available for her sister. God forbid that she actually lets anyone help though. Even though Nika is dying, it's so much more important for everyone to fight to prevent Tynan from getting a sample of Andra or Nika's blood so he can figure out how to help her. Hey, at least everyone is consistent in being a major pain.
The Characters
Andra Madison lost her mother when their home was attacked when Andra was 19. The demons kidnapped her eight-year-old sister Tori and poisoned Nika. A Nika who has had to be hospitalized in a psychiatric facility ever since. Now, Andra uses her gift to find lost children.
Paul, a Sentinel, hasn't much time left. There is only one leaf left on the tree of life tattooed on his chest. When it's gone, his soul will begin to die, and he will lose all sense of right and wrong. Nor will he care.
Sentinels are…
…made up of different groups of secret warriors fighting the demons. The Theronai are one of those groups, dying out because they can no longer conceive children. Only recently have they found another woman of their bloodline, Helen Day, who has bonded with Drake Asher (Burning Alive, 1). Armed with the possibility of others out there like her, the Theronai warriors are out searching for more in hopes of bonding and staving off their own deaths.
(As a Sentinel ages, his internal energy level increases with the pain almost unbearable until it burns him out, and he loses his soul. The only relief from this build-up is if a Sentinel is bonded with a female Sentinel.)
The Band of the Barren are…
…a super-secret group of Sentinels who have lost all but one of their leaves and even that one is slowly, slowly falling to the base of their trees of life. Banding together, they have been able to slow that leaf and hold onto what little remains of their morals.
Madoc is one of the them, only sex or violence are allowing him to disperse some of the pain.
Zach is still desperately searching for Lexi Johns ever since she fled the diner in Burning Alive. Somehow she has managed to camouflage his tracking mark. Other Sentinels include the tech-savvy Nicholas Laith, their leader Joseph Rayd, Morgan Valens, and Iain who also exhibits a compatibility for Andra. Gilda is the Gray Lady, once the only Sentinel female and one with some huge secrets. Angus is her husband. The extremely young Sibyl sees the future and hates Gilda, her mother. Cain is Sibyl's Theronai bodyguard.
Grace Norman is a Gerai (blooded humans who have vowed to help the Sentinels in any way) working in the fortress, and she's in love with Torr, a paralyzed Theronai. Sammy McMullins is the six-year-old boy of much interest to the Synestryn.
The Sanguinar are…
…a type of demon, vampires with a need for blood to live, and the reason the Theronai look down on them. Despite this, the Theronai have a truce with the Sanguinar who provide healing for the Sentinels. Tynan is their leader. Logan makes a good point, comparing the Theronai disgust with resenting the disabled because they can't operate like a non-handicapped person. What I don't understand is with the human population as it is, why isn't there enough "food" to go around?? Conal is a guard who exhibits some disturbing signs.
Synestryn are a…
…group name for the monsters, demons — beasties that go bump in the night, including sgath. Their purpose in life is to conquer the world "using humans as food while they battle their way back to Athanasia". Dorjan are humans enthralled to do anything for the Synestryn. Zillah, a Synestryn lord working with Maura, is another daughter of Gilda and Angus who went really bad. They're doing something to reshape the children for their particular ends.
The gate between Athanasia and our world was…
…shut by Solarc, the tyrant king of Athanasia. Anyone he catches breaking his rules, he massacres. Prince Eron is his son; the mother of his children, Celine, is dead now. Only his daughters, Andra, Nika, and Tori remain. He hopes. Prince Lucien is his older brother and has promised to look for them. Aurora is a servant involved in their plans.
The Cover and Title
The cover has a royal blue background with the bare, writhing branches of trees emphasizing the bare branches of Paul's tattooed tree of life on the left side of his naked chest. He does have some impressive muscles. Too bad his brain is just one big muscle as well. Paul is standing full frontal with his hands gripping the hilt of his sword, tip down to the earth.
The title is Andra's power. She has a skill for Finding the Lost. Also known as Jerk, Jerk, Jerk My Chain…jeezus…
My Take
OK, you know it's really bad when you're hoping the good guys lose. I struggled through this installment, almost praying the bad guys would win. 'Cause the good guys are too stupid for words.
Supposedly the Sanguinar have allied with the Sentinels. In reality, they're biding their time using Sentinel blood to keep themselves alive [which is reasonable] and for their Project Lullaby. A top-secret project the details of which they have shared with the Slayers, "a violent, proud, and deadly race of shapeshifters" who seem to be an enemy of the Sentinels. Neither side trusts the other and treats each other more as an enemy than as a friend. Which isn't as bad as the Sentinels themselves. Every Sentinel hates the one who finds a woman to bond with. Joseph, their leader, insists that they bind the woman, force her to bond and stay with them.
Supposedly the Sentinels are protecting humans from the Synestryn [demons] because the Synestryn take away all choice. Well, the Sentinels are pretty mad keen to take away any woman's choice, so I'm not quite sure about that particular difference. And it's all trickle-down stupid right down to the individuals. Ooh, Paul desperately needs Andra to accept him forever so he doesn't die. But, does he explain anything to her? Why…no, what fun would that be. Instead, let's spend pages moaning and whining about what will happen when the time she has allotted him is up. God forbid Paul actually inform her of the facts. Just bloody irritating to read. I really am a glutton for punishment as I forced myself to read the whole stupid story.
Gawd, right from the beginning, the Sentinels refuse to actually give out any information. They simply jerk about and order everyone around so Butcher can create tension. They don't want Andra to give Logan any blood. Do they explain why? Pshaw. Gimme a break. Put some bloody effort into this! Which is really not fair of me to say because Butcher does have a great story. If she just found an editor who could give a shit.
Ya know, the Sentinels are all so in awe of the Sibyl, and yet they ignore her orders. What? They haven't figured out that what she sees happens? That she might have a reason for insisting certain things happen??
I sympathize with Andra wanting to help her sister. I really do. And I just want to smack her hard, oh, eight or 9,000 times. She keeps whining and bitching and jerking about. I'm not surprised her sister is doing so badly. So would I if I had to put up with Andra!
Okay, when Andra and Paul do that soul meld, and she sees snippets of Paul's past, how can she not question why Paul was in such pain when Kate rejected him and removed her necklace? When Andra vows to give him three days and "resentment rose up in his throat", why didn't he tell her about the effects of her leaving him? I'm assuming [ass + u + me] Paul is intelligent. Surely he could connect the dots between her continuous child-saving and, oh, I dunno, explaining how they could partner up and he could help her save even more children?? No, instead he whines about "how could she do this to him"? Well, how is she supposed to know??? Moron. How anyone can be expected to make an informed decision with dribs and drabs of information? Oh yeah, and then there's the whole "I will give you my power and you can save your sister" schtick. What?? Andra thinks you just press a button and voila the secrets of the universe are yours to manipulate with finesse?? I just about wanted a power surge to pour through her and burn her out!
In just one easy lesson, understand how to use a new power source with the skill of a neurosurgeon.
Then there's the scene where she practically rapes the poor guy. She taunts, she pushes, she teases. She only wants to take from Paul so she can help her sister, so she pushes him beyond his control…and stiffens up. Uses encouraging words like "I can deal with that". Oh yeah, that'd keep me stiff…not.
I'm not sure, really, just what good the Sentinels are. There is so much going on out there that they haven't a clue about.
Oh yeah, don't take a drop or two of Nika's blood 'cause it's just too much. So much better to take more time over it and give her a better chance of dying. Then we come to the part where we finally find out why Andra doesn't want to be with Paul. She thinks she failed her sisters, her mother. The fact that she had no training or concept that such creatures existed is, of course, no excuse.
I do have to remind myself that the female protagonist doesn't have the background of the story that I as the reader do, and it's not fair to expect her to react as if she had that knowledge. That said, there is a point when an author is just not paying attention. Butcher is jerking these poor slobs around so badly that paragraphs don't flow smoothly. It's more as if she wrote the paragraphs, printed 'em out, cut them apart, and then tossed 'em up in the air. Wherever they landed is where they got spliced in. Okay, gross exaggeration. She took some of the paragraphs away before she spliced 'em in so the paragraph jumps would be worse.
I hate these people. They're such cavemen. And not in a good way.
God save me from idotic, stupid, drama queens. Okay, okay, so I'm being a drama queen myself in this review. Read it. You'll turn into one, too!
The Story
Andra is preparing to rescue a six-year-old boy from monsters. It seems that this is all she does anymore. Night after night spent rescuing children from monsters. Only this night will be different as Paul, Logan, and Madoc are hunting for her.
Andra is lucky as she and Sammy escape the next descending group of monsters, but the boys lose her in the escape only to have Andra walk into her apartment and find Paul sitting on her couch. Some fast-talking keeps the boys in her apartment until Andra gets a call from the hospital. Her sister is fading fast and Andra tears out. Little does Andra know how lucky she is because Paul, Logan, and Madoc can all help her little sister. They can't cure her, but they can help prolong her life a bit longer. Get her to safety and away from the monsters who are chasing her.
But it's only Madoc who is able to get Nika to eat, to sleep. Andra is praying that being at the Sentinel fortress there will be all sorts of help available for her sister. God forbid that she actually lets anyone help though. Even though Nika is dying, it's so much more important for everyone to fight to prevent Tynan from getting a sample of Andra or Nika's blood so he can figure out how to help her. Hey, at least everyone is consistent in being a major pain.
The Characters
Andra Madison lost her mother when their home was attacked when Andra was 19. The demons kidnapped her eight-year-old sister Tori and poisoned Nika. A Nika who has had to be hospitalized in a psychiatric facility ever since. Now, Andra uses her gift to find lost children.
Paul, a Sentinel, hasn't much time left. There is only one leaf left on the tree of life tattooed on his chest. When it's gone, his soul will begin to die, and he will lose all sense of right and wrong. Nor will he care.
Sentinels are…
…made up of different groups of secret warriors fighting the demons. The Theronai are one of those groups, dying out because they can no longer conceive children. Only recently have they found another woman of their bloodline, Helen Day, who has bonded with Drake Asher (Burning Alive, 1). Armed with the possibility of others out there like her, the Theronai warriors are out searching for more in hopes of bonding and staving off their own deaths.
(As a Sentinel ages, his internal energy level increases with the pain almost unbearable until it burns him out, and he loses his soul. The only relief from this build-up is if a Sentinel is bonded with a female Sentinel.)
The Band of the Barren are…
…a super-secret group of Sentinels who have lost all but one of their leaves and even that one is slowly, slowly falling to the base of their trees of life. Banding together, they have been able to slow that leaf and hold onto what little remains of their morals.
Madoc is one of the them, only sex or violence are allowing him to disperse some of the pain.
Zach is still desperately searching for Lexi Johns ever since she fled the diner in Burning Alive. Somehow she has managed to camouflage his tracking mark. Other Sentinels include the tech-savvy Nicholas Laith, their leader Joseph Rayd, Morgan Valens, and Iain who also exhibits a compatibility for Andra. Gilda is the Gray Lady, once the only Sentinel female and one with some huge secrets. Angus is her husband. The extremely young Sibyl sees the future and hates Gilda, her mother. Cain is Sibyl's Theronai bodyguard.
Grace Norman is a Gerai (blooded humans who have vowed to help the Sentinels in any way) working in the fortress, and she's in love with Torr, a paralyzed Theronai. Sammy McMullins is the six-year-old boy of much interest to the Synestryn.
The Sanguinar are…
…a type of demon, vampires with a need for blood to live, and the reason the Theronai look down on them. Despite this, the Theronai have a truce with the Sanguinar who provide healing for the Sentinels. Tynan is their leader. Logan makes a good point, comparing the Theronai disgust with resenting the disabled because they can't operate like a non-handicapped person. What I don't understand is with the human population as it is, why isn't there enough "food" to go around?? Conal is a guard who exhibits some disturbing signs.
Synestryn are a…
…group name for the monsters, demons — beasties that go bump in the night, including sgath. Their purpose in life is to conquer the world "using humans as food while they battle their way back to Athanasia". Dorjan are humans enthralled to do anything for the Synestryn. Zillah, a Synestryn lord working with Maura, is another daughter of Gilda and Angus who went really bad. They're doing something to reshape the children for their particular ends.
The gate between Athanasia and our world was…
…shut by Solarc, the tyrant king of Athanasia. Anyone he catches breaking his rules, he massacres. Prince Eron is his son; the mother of his children, Celine, is dead now. Only his daughters, Andra, Nika, and Tori remain. He hopes. Prince Lucien is his older brother and has promised to look for them. Aurora is a servant involved in their plans.
The Cover and Title
The cover has a royal blue background with the bare, writhing branches of trees emphasizing the bare branches of Paul's tattooed tree of life on the left side of his naked chest. He does have some impressive muscles. Too bad his brain is just one big muscle as well. Paul is standing full frontal with his hands gripping the hilt of his sword, tip down to the earth.
The title is Andra's power. She has a skill for Finding the Lost. Also known as Jerk, Jerk, Jerk My Chain…jeezus…
shezz's review against another edition
3.0
TBH this book made me more interesting in Nika and Madoc than the two main characters. Interesting story/premise but could not connect to the main hero/heroine. This series does have very intriguing side characters though and i hope to read their books soon.
nelsonseye's review against another edition
4.0
Another good opening to get the reader sucked into the story. I liked both Paul and Andra although, like Drake, sometimes Paul's behaviour (and Joseph's suggestions) was what I would call morally reprehensible. I really think Andra should have been more upset at a particular moment. Issues of non-communication were very frustrating and the resolution of these issues was, in my opinion, too rushed. I will definitely read more of the series; I hope there are more references to Eron (I think his name was), Torr, and of course, Madoc and Nika. But first we get to read about Zach and Lexi :)
laurenjodi's review against another edition
4.0
Finding the Lost
3.5 Stars
Her family torn apart by the Synestryn, Andra Madison has dedicated her life to rescuing children who fall prey to these grotesque monsters. On one such mission, Andra encounters Paul, a Theronian warrior, searching for the woman who can save his life. As one of these rare women, Andra agrees to join Paul in order to seek a cure for her traumatized sister, and the two set out on a journey fraught with danger and the possibility of true love.
A good sequel with some excellent action scenes and interesting detail added to the world-building. However, the romance is weak with the hero and heroine lacking the chemistry and intensity of connection that characterized the couple in the first book.
Paul and Andra’s relationship fails to resonate perhaps because each is preoccupied with their own problems – Paul with his need to find a compatible mate and keep her once he has, and Andra with her overwhelming desire to save her sister.
Neither character is completely sympathetic. Even though Andra is attracted to Paul on a physical level, she remains distant and aloof. She initially comes across as strong-willed and self-confident, but devolves as the story progresses and becomes insecure and hesitant to love because she feels that her failures make her undeserving. Similarly, Paul is never completely honest with Andra and the impression you get from him is that any woman would suffice to fulfill his requirements. Furthermore, the idea that he would force Andra to be with him against her will is repellent.
In terms of the plot, Butcher has created a fascinating world with a multitude of layers and several interlocking storylines. The writing is fast-paced and interspersed with hints of events to come. One of the best aspects of the book is the inclusion of compelling secondary characters, especially Madoc and Nika, who are a far more appealing couple than Paul and Andra. I look forward to reading their book as well as that of the other couple from book one – Zach and Lexi.
3.5 Stars
Her family torn apart by the Synestryn, Andra Madison has dedicated her life to rescuing children who fall prey to these grotesque monsters. On one such mission, Andra encounters Paul, a Theronian warrior, searching for the woman who can save his life. As one of these rare women, Andra agrees to join Paul in order to seek a cure for her traumatized sister, and the two set out on a journey fraught with danger and the possibility of true love.
A good sequel with some excellent action scenes and interesting detail added to the world-building. However, the romance is weak with the hero and heroine lacking the chemistry and intensity of connection that characterized the couple in the first book.
Paul and Andra’s relationship fails to resonate perhaps because each is preoccupied with their own problems – Paul with his need to find a compatible mate and keep her once he has, and Andra with her overwhelming desire to save her sister.
Neither character is completely sympathetic. Even though Andra is attracted to Paul on a physical level, she remains distant and aloof. She initially comes across as strong-willed and self-confident, but devolves as the story progresses and becomes insecure and hesitant to love because she feels that her failures make her undeserving. Similarly, Paul is never completely honest with Andra and the impression you get from him is that any woman would suffice to fulfill his requirements. Furthermore, the idea that he would force Andra to be with him against her will is repellent.
In terms of the plot, Butcher has created a fascinating world with a multitude of layers and several interlocking storylines. The writing is fast-paced and interspersed with hints of events to come. One of the best aspects of the book is the inclusion of compelling secondary characters, especially Madoc and Nika, who are a far more appealing couple than Paul and Andra. I look forward to reading their book as well as that of the other couple from book one – Zach and Lexi.
shan198025's review against another edition
4.0
Hmmmm I liked Andra. I also really like the Nika/Madoc storyline. I mostly have more questions than answers I think.
spiringvenus's review against another edition
5.0
This book was so incredibly awesome! I finished it in a 24 hour period! I am so excited that I found this series and can't wait to devour the rest. Ms. Butcher really knows how to write a cliffhanger!
kblincoln's review against another edition
3.0
While the first in this series was refreshingly different installation in paranormal urban romance for me to score it high despite some flaws, this second one did not live up to my expectations.
Which is frustrating, because I totally wanted to like the second in the series. You see, the problem is that the detailed IDEA of the demon Synestryn and the different races; Sanguinar, Sentinel, Slayers, who fight them is really well developed and intriguing.
The story of Andra, who specializes in finding "lost" children (who are really being kidnapped by Synestryn demons) and Paul, a Sentinel warrior looking for the woman who can save him by accepting his magic necklace and stored power, is a good set-up.
I love how Andra is really, really strong and proactive. I love the face that the relationships between Paul and his other Sentinel buddies isn't all buddy-buddy.
However, the story doesn't stay focused on Andra and Paul, it goes off into other POV's of other couples and a too-short glimpse of the big bad. Each of those other stories could be a whole novel-length story (and probably will be in later sequels) but while interesting, the short glimpse only ends up being frustrating for me as it interrupted Paul and Andra's story without giving me enough to want to follow the other story.
This also serves to highlight the main trouble with Andra and Paul, mainly that in the latter part of the book the obstacle for them getting together is Andra's feelings of failure related to how she couldn't save her sisters from the Synestryn long ago. And despite her many successes since, and her overall badass attitude, she doesn't want to commit to Paul because she is afraid she might fail him? Really?
It didn't quite ring true to me.
So while it was an entertaining read in an intriguingly developed world, my frustration at how the multiple storylines were handled as well as wanting more of a real conflict for the love interests may overshadow whether I'll pick up the next in the series.
It's a toss up.
This Book's Food Designation Rating: A bag of Gardetto's snack mix because of all the interesting bits and pieces of the story that after a while begin to make you tired of juggling it all so that you reach into the bag and try to snag just the rye toasts and pretzels that you love the best.
Which is frustrating, because I totally wanted to like the second in the series. You see, the problem is that the detailed IDEA of the demon Synestryn and the different races; Sanguinar, Sentinel, Slayers, who fight them is really well developed and intriguing.
The story of Andra, who specializes in finding "lost" children (who are really being kidnapped by Synestryn demons) and Paul, a Sentinel warrior looking for the woman who can save him by accepting his magic necklace and stored power, is a good set-up.
I love how Andra is really, really strong and proactive. I love the face that the relationships between Paul and his other Sentinel buddies isn't all buddy-buddy.
However, the story doesn't stay focused on Andra and Paul, it goes off into other POV's of other couples and a too-short glimpse of the big bad. Each of those other stories could be a whole novel-length story (and probably will be in later sequels) but while interesting, the short glimpse only ends up being frustrating for me as it interrupted Paul and Andra's story without giving me enough to want to follow the other story.
This also serves to highlight the main trouble with Andra and Paul, mainly that in the latter part of the book the obstacle for them getting together is Andra's feelings of failure related to how she couldn't save her sisters from the Synestryn long ago. And despite her many successes since, and her overall badass attitude, she doesn't want to commit to Paul because she is afraid she might fail him? Really?
It didn't quite ring true to me.
So while it was an entertaining read in an intriguingly developed world, my frustration at how the multiple storylines were handled as well as wanting more of a real conflict for the love interests may overshadow whether I'll pick up the next in the series.
It's a toss up.
This Book's Food Designation Rating: A bag of Gardetto's snack mix because of all the interesting bits and pieces of the story that after a while begin to make you tired of juggling it all so that you reach into the bag and try to snag just the rye toasts and pretzels that you love the best.
tkat's review
4.0
I picked up Shannon Butcher's work because I am such a fan of her husband I figured she can't be half bad, and I was right.
We get more clarification and information on the workings of the three different Sentinel races which is great, but for me still a bit confusing as to who is who.
Interesting leapfrogging story lines. Bounces from one set of people to the next. Doesn't detract from the story at all, but rather is a fantastic set up for books four and five.
Good story, loved the characters, nothing much more to say aside from looking forward to reading the next one.
We get more clarification and information on the workings of the three different Sentinel races which is great, but for me still a bit confusing as to who is who.
Interesting leapfrogging story lines. Bounces from one set of people to the next. Doesn't detract from the story at all, but rather is a fantastic set up for books four and five.
Good story, loved the characters, nothing much more to say aside from looking forward to reading the next one.
nelsonseye's review
4.0
Another good opening to get the reader sucked into the story. I liked both Paul and Andra although, like Drake, sometimes Paul's behaviour (and Joseph's suggestions) was what I would call morally reprehensible. I really think Andra should have been more upset at a particular moment. Issues of non-communication were very frustrating and the resolution of these issues was, in my opinion, too rushed. I will definitely read more of the series; I hope there are more references to Eron (I think his name was), Torr, and of course, Madoc and Nika. But first we get to read about Zach and Lexi :)