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katyanaish's review against another edition
3.0
***3.5***
I enjoyed this book. I thought it was a solid introduction to this world and these characters. But I am being a little cautious in my review and my expectations as I move forward with the series, because there are some serious shades of Anita Blake at play here. Given that that series became a total crap-fest, it makes me nervous. Anyway, here's what we have:
Our heroine, Persephone, is a more powerful witch than she realizes. Further, she seems to have an important role to play in keeping the balance between various factions in the supernatural world. This comes as a shock to her, because frankly she's a bit of a loner. I like her a lot.
Johnny is the powerful warewolf who is infatuated with her. He's sweet, strong, adores her, all good things. He is also wildly jealous of the attention she is receiving from a vampire, and is prone to doing shitty things and/or putting her into shitty positions because of that jealousy. At this stage of the game, I like him quite a bit (which was true with Richard in the beginning of Anita Blake, whereas now I would just like him to be run over by a truck), but I am wary because of these jealousy-induced poor decisions.
Menessos is the uber-powerful vampire (in the beginning here, the assumption is that he is out of the warewolf's league in terms of strength, which is again on-par with Anita Blake). He's mysterious and angsty (this is probably true of 99% of vamps in UF though), and seems to be utterly fascinated with Persephone. He is happy to manipulate her for his own ends, and compromise her so that she is forced to make devil's bargains with him. Sound familiar?
Anyway. I don't mean to make it sound like there is nothing else going on in the book - there is, and I enjoyed it, and I am already nearly through with the second book, honestly. But the above summarizes why I am approaching the series with caution. Not getting too invested.
Here's hoping things play out better for Persephone than they did with Anita.
I enjoyed this book. I thought it was a solid introduction to this world and these characters. But I am being a little cautious in my review and my expectations as I move forward with the series, because there are some serious shades of Anita Blake at play here. Given that that series became a total crap-fest, it makes me nervous. Anyway, here's what we have:
Our heroine, Persephone, is a more powerful witch than she realizes. Further, she seems to have an important role to play in keeping the balance between various factions in the supernatural world. This comes as a shock to her, because frankly she's a bit of a loner. I like her a lot.
Johnny is the powerful warewolf who is infatuated with her. He's sweet, strong, adores her, all good things. He is also wildly jealous of the attention she is receiving from a vampire, and is prone to doing shitty things and/or putting her into shitty positions because of that jealousy. At this stage of the game, I like him quite a bit (which was true with Richard in the beginning of Anita Blake, whereas now I would just like him to be run over by a truck), but I am wary because of these jealousy-induced poor decisions.
Menessos is the uber-powerful vampire (in the beginning here, the assumption is that he is out of the warewolf's league in terms of strength, which is again on-par with Anita Blake). He's mysterious and angsty (this is probably true of 99% of vamps in UF though), and seems to be utterly fascinated with Persephone. He is happy to manipulate her for his own ends, and compromise her so that she is forced to make devil's bargains with him. Sound familiar?
Anyway. I don't mean to make it sound like there is nothing else going on in the book - there is, and I enjoyed it, and I am already nearly through with the second book, honestly. But the above summarizes why I am approaching the series with caution. Not getting too invested.
Here's hoping things play out better for Persephone than they did with Anita.
grumpypeta's review against another edition
3.0
Not quite sure what to do with this book. I mean obviously I read it, but I came away from it thinking, 'Did I enjoy that?'. I think I did because I kept reading it when I said I'd put it down because I had other stuff to do, but I still persisted in reading it. However, any book that leaves you uncertain of whether you actually enjoyed it or not probably has a few issues. Yes, yes it does.
To begin with, Persephone Alcmedi has an obsession with King Arthur. This would be fine if it weren't for the fact that I have (albeit, briefly) studied the shit out of the Arthurian legend, an unwelcome habit of watching BBC Merlin and reading Arthur related historical fiction. I don't profess myself to be any kind of scholarly authority, BUT when her love affair stems from Marion I'M-A-FUCKING-CELTIST-WANNABE Zimmer-Bradley and John William Waterhouse paintings, I WILL TAKE ISSUE. Mainly because the Waterhouse painting is based on the Tennyson poem, which is a watered-down version of the Arthurian legend (and Tennyson is a sissy-girl). Also Marion Zimmber-Bradley is just...blergh there are no words for how much the 'Mists of Avalon' irritates me. More than anything I just want to go and slap Persephone, hand her some Chrétien de Troyes and then have a massive nerd-out. However, this is just me being a wanky-wanky-nerd girl.
The plot jumps around a bit and sometimes I felt like I had missed things and had to go re-read a couple of pages (turns out I hadn't missed anything, the book just makes a couple of leaps here and there). Despite issues, I still actually want to read the next one, so I guess ten points to Linda Robertson?
If you can make it through the first 150 pages without TOO MUCH eye-rolling and thinking you've read this somewhere else before (because I know I have, see any of "The Parasol Protectorate" and the Sabina Kane series) you may find you actually enjoy the experience. Or at least you're still trying to figure out if you did. I'll probably add to this review later when I figure exactly what I liked about it, because I can't for the life of me think of it now.
To begin with, Persephone Alcmedi has an obsession with King Arthur. This would be fine if it weren't for the fact that I have (albeit, briefly) studied the shit out of the Arthurian legend, an unwelcome habit of watching BBC Merlin and reading Arthur related historical fiction. I don't profess myself to be any kind of scholarly authority, BUT when her love affair stems from Marion I'M-A-FUCKING-CELTIST-WANNABE Zimmer-Bradley and John William Waterhouse paintings, I WILL TAKE ISSUE. Mainly because the Waterhouse painting is based on the Tennyson poem, which is a watered-down version of the Arthurian legend (and Tennyson is a sissy-girl). Also Marion Zimmber-Bradley is just...blergh there are no words for how much the 'Mists of Avalon' irritates me. More than anything I just want to go and slap Persephone, hand her some Chrétien de Troyes and then have a massive nerd-out. However, this is just me being a wanky-wanky-nerd girl.
The plot jumps around a bit and sometimes I felt like I had missed things and had to go re-read a couple of pages (turns out I hadn't missed anything, the book just makes a couple of leaps here and there). Despite issues, I still actually want to read the next one, so I guess ten points to Linda Robertson?
If you can make it through the first 150 pages without TOO MUCH eye-rolling and thinking you've read this somewhere else before (because I know I have, see any of "The Parasol Protectorate" and the Sabina Kane series) you may find you actually enjoy the experience. Or at least you're still trying to figure out if you did. I'll probably add to this review later when I figure exactly what I liked about it, because I can't for the life of me think of it now.
claire_loves_books's review against another edition
3.0
I felt like this was quite a typical paranormal/urban fantasy book- It's not a bad book but I felt like I'd read it all before. I did like most the characters and Vivian was interesting.
colorfulleo92's review against another edition
3.0
The majority of the book wasn't that exciting or intresting but at the end it had my interest peaked. Might continue to read the second installment as I think it could be more fun to read about after this ending. It was an okay read overall.
blodeuedd's review against another edition
2.0
Oh no, it happened again. An UF book that failed to grab my attention, I can't seem to muster up my reviewing powers either.
But ok the book then. I just do not know, it was the same old story. The heroine failed to make me care for her. Sure I liked her, but I did not care. I did not care for the hunky love interest either. The one thing that did make me care was when the wicked bad vampire showed up, oh he was fine and evil. I would have liked to see more of his dark seductive powers.
Therefore I can't say what made me find this book just ok. The story was fine. Assassination, weres in the basement, a hunky guy who she should go for even if he is bad boy. So it must be the people. A story can be wonderful but if I do not care, I do not like. A story can be bad, but if I still like the people, I like the book.
Conclusion:
Just not for me at this time-
But ok the book then. I just do not know, it was the same old story. The heroine failed to make me care for her. Sure I liked her, but I did not care. I did not care for the hunky love interest either. The one thing that did make me care was when the wicked bad vampire showed up, oh he was fine and evil. I would have liked to see more of his dark seductive powers.
Therefore I can't say what made me find this book just ok. The story was fine. Assassination, weres in the basement, a hunky guy who she should go for even if he is bad boy. So it must be the people. A story can be wonderful but if I do not care, I do not like. A story can be bad, but if I still like the people, I like the book.
Conclusion:
Just not for me at this time-
nelsonseye's review against another edition
3.0
I liked the main character, secondary characters (Nana surprisingly) and the main story. I found some of the spells and tarot stuff hard to follow, but I think that's on me. Finally, I wasn't too fussed about the witch-werewolf-vampire triangle (not my favourite trope at all) but I do think the author set it up/did it well.
traecrochet's review
3.0
****3.5 Stars****
For some reason, back in October 2014, I put this book on my do not finish shelf. I cannot figure out for the life of me why I did that. "Vicious Circle" is a solid first book. That doesn't mean its without its faults, but for the most part, it was decent. Persephone, or Seph, is a solid heroine who isn't perfect, and acknowledges it. The supporting characters, especially Nana and Johnny, are well written, with just enough revealed to make you want to read more about them. The plot moved along at a brisk pace, and was engaging enough for me to stay interested. There was some info dumping, which is why this book is 3.5 stars rather than 4 stars.
For some reason, back in October 2014, I put this book on my do not finish shelf. I cannot figure out for the life of me why I did that. "Vicious Circle" is a solid first book. That doesn't mean its without its faults, but for the most part, it was decent. Persephone, or Seph, is a solid heroine who isn't perfect, and acknowledges it. The supporting characters, especially Nana and Johnny, are well written, with just enough revealed to make you want to read more about them. The plot moved along at a brisk pace, and was engaging enough for me to stay interested. There was some info dumping, which is why this book is 3.5 stars rather than 4 stars.
fictionalkate's review against another edition
4.0
Great start to a series. Reminded me of Patricia Briggs' Mercy Thompson or Jenn Bennett's Arcadia Bell series. I like the mix of supernatural creatures and Seph's Nan is quite a character. I can see myself getting hooked on these books.
veronica87's review against another edition
2.0
1.5 stars
Meh. Nothing new here. Of course, this book was published a decade ago and if I had read it back then maybe I would have thought it was new and awesome. As it is, I've read a LOT of urban fantasy stories over the years so I'll just review all the old standards that are present in this one.
1. A likable yet still mostly bland heroine. Nothing much stands out about her until suddenly, *Bum-Bum-BUM!* she becomes The One.
2. The enigmatic, devastatingly handsome, immortal being who takes a sudden interest in the aforementioned likable but pleasingly bland heroine because in all his long centuries of life he has somehow never met anyone like her. Maybe all these immortal beings live as 24 hour shut-ins. Or maybe they really mean they've never met a woman quite so devoid of basic common sense because, personally, at only a few chapters in I was already thinking our heroine lacked some basic critical thinking skills. It took her well over the halfway mark before she even started to ask questions she should have been asking way back at chapter three. Not the brightest tool in the shed but what do I know? I'm not an immortal being.
3. The makings of the usual love triangle. And our heroine won't let piddling little things like spoil the attraction. Pfft! If the guy is hot enough it trumps everything else.
4. The use of a mark/bond/whathaveyou to create a forced sense of intimacy between the heroine and one of the potential suitors because, oh I don't know, the author just doesn't want to put in the effort to actually craft a relationship over time.
So, yeah, been there, done that, tired of that. This is another series that is one-and-done for me.
Meh. Nothing new here. Of course, this book was published a decade ago and if I had read it back then maybe I would have thought it was new and awesome. As it is, I've read a LOT of urban fantasy stories over the years so I'll just review all the old standards that are present in this one.
1. A likable yet still mostly bland heroine. Nothing much stands out about her until suddenly, *Bum-Bum-BUM!* she becomes The One.
2. The enigmatic, devastatingly handsome, immortal being who takes a sudden interest in the aforementioned likable but pleasingly bland heroine because in all his long centuries of life he has somehow never met anyone like her. Maybe all these immortal beings live as 24 hour shut-ins. Or maybe they really mean they've never met a woman quite so devoid of basic common sense because, personally, at only a few chapters in I was already thinking our heroine lacked some basic critical thinking skills. It took her well over the halfway mark before she even started to ask questions she should have been asking way back at chapter three. Not the brightest tool in the shed but what do I know? I'm not an immortal being.
3. The makings of the usual love triangle. And our heroine won't let piddling little things like
Spoiler
the kidnapping of her family and threats to their lives, and the removal of her free will and consent so that potential suitor can force his attentions on her4. The use of a mark/bond/whathaveyou to create a forced sense of intimacy between the heroine and one of the potential suitors because, oh I don't know, the author just doesn't want to put in the effort to actually craft a relationship over time.
So, yeah, been there, done that, tired of that. This is another series that is one-and-done for me.
jacquelinec's review against another edition
2.0
Fell asleep on this one a lot - talk about a slow start. Persephone is nice but kind of boring as far as an UF protagonist goes. Johnny was a cute love interest but not sexy. The story did eventually pick up about halfway through. I'm not opposed to continuing this series, but I'm not pressed either.