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malus23's review
2.0
A little too much posturing in this one, reading about men glaring and huffing and growling and stuff gets old really really fast. Most of the story going on behind all the silly macho crap was a decent story, should've been given more room to breathe.
booksabrewin's review
2.0
I received an e-copy of this book from the publishers at NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Alexandra Ivy is a name I have come to know from being involved in a paranormal romance book club and finding the genre to be one of my favorites of all time. I had never read any of her work and was hungry to sink my teeth into the first in one of her new series. The synopsis brought to light a whole new world of fantasy that was moderately unique. Other authors have done similar things with worlds were humans and superhumans coexist and are aware of each other, but not to this extent. I was anxious to wrap myself in a new world with new rules and new fantastical creatures to learn about.
Duncan is a cop first and foremost. Nothing else matters to him except his drive to bring justice to those harmed in his hometown of Kansas City. He is one of the few humans that hold no true animosity to the high-bloods (a group name for superhumans such as psychics, diviners/necromancers, and witches). He would rather keep his cases from involving the freaks, but he understand that sometimes his department needs a bit more help than mere humans can offer. Enter Callie Brown. She is a diviner who can enter the minds of the recently dead and view their last moments of life in hopes of finding the animal that murdered them. Duncan has always found Callie irresistible and is determined to coax her into his bed. Freak or not, she is the most dynamite woman he has ever laid eyes on. He can almost forget the dead girl with the missing heart and no signs of trauma to explain the disappearance. Almost.
Callie is called in on another of Duncan's case. With her tattooed mountain of a guardian following her every move it's hard to really get to know the handsome cop... especially when they only ever meet when some poor soul has lost their life. She is inside the mind of the dead, heartless woman when she comes face-to-face with a necromancer of great power. She realizes this is not an ordinary case. She must find this necromancer and stop him before his ability to turn corpses into walking, talking zombies threatens not just the human world but the world of the high-bloods as well.
Callie and Duncan are forced to wade the tranquil waters of a horrifying case set in motion by a psychotic high-blood and a budding romance between them. Humans and high-bloods are not supposed to mix, but there may be more to this particular human than meets the eye. Can Callie and Duncan find a balance between the mutual hatred of their kinds to both stop a madman and nurture the connection growing between them?
Let me first say, I am a romance fanatic. If a story doesn't have at least a hint of romance in it, I rarely want to read it. This book did not have that problem. There was plenty of romance to go around... in fact, too much romance to go around. The romance between Callie and Duncan ruined the reading experience for me, to be frank. I hated the fact that Duncan always said EXACTLY the right thing. It was always poetic and heartfelt and that just doesn't happen in reality. Sure, men can be sensitive, but from the moment they were alone Duncan was confessing how deeply he felt for her and the had only really talked this one time. Too fast, too corny, and too unbelievable. Callie's reserved nature was a bit more spot on as far as romances go, but even she had her moments of eye-rolling antics.
Now, the single saving grace that kept me reading and kept me moderately interesting despite speed reading through the romantic scenes was the world created. I liked that humans and high-bloods tended to look down their noses at each other as if they were more superior than the other. I liked the various mystical races created. I liked Fane's hard ass personality more than the author probably intended. In short, everything but the two main characters and their relationship.
I would recommend Born in Blood if you prefer sentimental romances where the characters are the epidemy of perfection in their relationships.
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renpuspita's review
4.0
3,5 stars
Born in Blood is the first installment of new series by Alexandra Ivy, the Sentinels. Lucky for me, I had known Ms Ivy's books long time ago, because Indonesian publisher, kindly translate and published Guardian books. So, her writing is not new for me, and I appraise her to not using vampire, werewolf, anything that go bumps in the night. Boring, thank you! Instead, The Sentinels is like X-Men in paranormal romancelandia. Unique yet still have some paranormal romance clique.
People divided into two categories for The Sentinels world. Those who live a normal life (aka norms) and those who gifted by special ability, called high bloods. The prejudice toward high blood is high and somehow disgusting. This is not new, but again the problem still related to our real condition, we fear what we can't understand. Born in Blood is about Duncan O'Conner a police, pissed off after his ex-wife marriage, but must investigate a strange case. The victim lose her heart. He got help from Valhalla, place for high blood, a diviner name Callie Brown, people who can talk to the dead. Like norms, he did had prejudice toward Callie and her Sentinel, Fane. But he can't resist that he's charmed by her. I'm afraid that Duncan will be a jackass, an alphahole.
Surprisely, Duncan's is charming. Not take a long time for him to work over his prejudice to Callie, to admit that he craved that woman. Ther attraction between Duncan and Callie of course is physical in the first. But, it amazed me that Duncan who try to persuade Callie to accept their relationship. I like this so much, because I got tired with hero that think he's alpha, he doesn't want to desire his woman, but he can't resist. So blah!
In contrary, the villain is a jerk, and well kinda two dimensional actually. I don't want to spoil, but I kinda not like the connection between the villain and Callie, for it seems so forced. The Sentinels is like, well if you read many PNR books, you will know that they are kinda like brotherhood of alpha macho from BDB. Not bad, but this theme already overused. Duncan himself is not part of Sentinel, and it's refreshing to see there other man that care about Callie, so he feel jealous for he can't be Callie's guardian. But, he is too not a norm, there was something special about Duncan (beside his charm of course ;) ).
Other characters are interesting and have some story development. What intrigue me are some people who I suspect will get their own story. We know that Duncan will be with Callie, even Callie have her own guardian, Fane. I think there will be love triangle, but Fane and Callie relationship are platonic, more like brother and sister. It obvious that Fane will be with Serra, a vixen that also Callie's friend, a high blood that can read people mind. There are also the Mave, Valhalla's leader who seems like have history with the Tagos, the Sentinel leader, called Wolfe. I can't wait to know more about what happen between them.
The world is actually easy to understand even I lost for some part. Maybe because I'm not read the prequel of this book, in Predatory anthology. The system of the high blood also not complicated. The writing is easily understand. My complaint is (and I think some reviewers will said yes) is how Ms Ivy love to cut the love scene. The first sex is, thank's God, not cut and well, steamy. But the next, always cut into another scene! I don't like this change of pace, for it can be confusing. I prefer that one chapter just contain one POV, not for two or three.
Also, the cover. Well, I love Paul Marron (still do until now, lol!). I like this cover, but it's sooo misleading. Callie was describe as petite and has spiky red hair. So her hair is not long like on the cover! She also wear ordinary clothes, not bustier. The model in this book represent Serra, that's why I think in the first even Duncan desire Callie, he will become Serra's lover because Callie already have Fane. Then I read the blurb again, and realize that Serra's hair color is black, it confirmed that Duncan is with Callie. I hope the cover -even the author maybe don't have a word to decide what it look like- stay the same with the description of the book.
With the pro and cons, I still want to read the next in The Sentinels series. The villain might be defeated and the ending is feel too rushed (again), but there are some characters that I would love to read and know their story about.
Thanks for Kensington and Netgalley for provide the copy
Born in Blood is the first installment of new series by Alexandra Ivy, the Sentinels. Lucky for me, I had known Ms Ivy's books long time ago, because Indonesian publisher, kindly translate and published Guardian books. So, her writing is not new for me, and I appraise her to not using vampire, werewolf, anything that go bumps in the night. Boring, thank you! Instead, The Sentinels is like X-Men in paranormal romancelandia. Unique yet still have some paranormal romance clique.
People divided into two categories for The Sentinels world. Those who live a normal life (aka norms) and those who gifted by special ability, called high bloods. The prejudice toward high blood is high and somehow disgusting. This is not new, but again the problem still related to our real condition, we fear what we can't understand. Born in Blood is about Duncan O'Conner a police, pissed off after his ex-wife marriage, but must investigate a strange case. The victim lose her heart. He got help from Valhalla, place for high blood, a diviner name Callie Brown, people who can talk to the dead. Like norms, he did had prejudice toward Callie and her Sentinel, Fane. But he can't resist that he's charmed by her. I'm afraid that Duncan will be a jackass, an alphahole.
Surprisely, Duncan's is charming. Not take a long time for him to work over his prejudice to Callie, to admit that he craved that woman. Ther attraction between Duncan and Callie of course is physical in the first. But, it amazed me that Duncan who try to persuade Callie to accept their relationship. I like this so much, because I got tired with hero that think he's alpha, he doesn't want to desire his woman, but he can't resist. So blah!
In contrary, the villain is a jerk, and well kinda two dimensional actually. I don't want to spoil, but I kinda not like the connection between the villain and Callie, for it seems so forced. The Sentinels is like, well if you read many PNR books, you will know that they are kinda like brotherhood of alpha macho from BDB. Not bad, but this theme already overused. Duncan himself is not part of Sentinel, and it's refreshing to see there other man that care about Callie, so he feel jealous for he can't be Callie's guardian. But, he is too not a norm, there was something special about Duncan (beside his charm of course ;) ).
Other characters are interesting and have some story development. What intrigue me are some people who I suspect will get their own story. We know that Duncan will be with Callie, even Callie have her own guardian, Fane. I think there will be love triangle, but Fane and Callie relationship are platonic, more like brother and sister. It obvious that Fane will be with Serra, a vixen that also Callie's friend, a high blood that can read people mind. There are also the Mave, Valhalla's leader who seems like have history with the Tagos, the Sentinel leader, called Wolfe. I can't wait to know more about what happen between them.
The world is actually easy to understand even I lost for some part. Maybe because I'm not read the prequel of this book, in Predatory anthology. The system of the high blood also not complicated. The writing is easily understand. My complaint is (and I think some reviewers will said yes) is how Ms Ivy love to cut the love scene. The first sex is, thank's God, not cut and well, steamy. But the next, always cut into another scene! I don't like this change of pace, for it can be confusing. I prefer that one chapter just contain one POV, not for two or three.
Also, the cover. Well, I love Paul Marron (still do until now, lol!). I like this cover, but it's sooo misleading. Callie was describe as petite and has spiky red hair. So her hair is not long like on the cover! She also wear ordinary clothes, not bustier. The model in this book represent Serra, that's why I think in the first even Duncan desire Callie, he will become Serra's lover because Callie already have Fane. Then I read the blurb again, and realize that Serra's hair color is black, it confirmed that Duncan is with Callie. I hope the cover -even the author maybe don't have a word to decide what it look like- stay the same with the description of the book.
With the pro and cons, I still want to read the next in The Sentinels series. The villain might be defeated and the ending is feel too rushed (again), but there are some characters that I would love to read and know their story about.
Thanks for Kensington and Netgalley for provide the copy
squinderella's review
4.0
Callie is a high-blood living in the very real Valhalla. She is a necromancer, which within this world simply means being able to see into the minds of the very recently dead. Duncan is a detective with the Kansas City Police Department and has run into Callie numerous times over the years. She ignites a fire for him that he just can't see past. As they work together to find and attempt to stop the powerful necromancer behind the killing, they grow closer, despite the feelings of those around them.
Born in Blood kept the blood flowing and the pulse racing! It had some great flow. The chemistry between Duncan and Callie was awesome. There was nice set-up as well for future couplings within the high-bloods. Really the only downfall to me was that the love scenes didn't get more in-depth!
I'm already loving this new series. The Sentinels has great world-building and I'm excited to continue to the next in the series.
Born in Blood kept the blood flowing and the pulse racing! It had some great flow. The chemistry between Duncan and Callie was awesome. There was nice set-up as well for future couplings within the high-bloods. Really the only downfall to me was that the love scenes didn't get more in-depth!
I'm already loving this new series. The Sentinels has great world-building and I'm excited to continue to the next in the series.
prettylightsandcitynights's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
fresholivebread's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Hard-boiled cop hero enlists the help of a necromancer heroine to solve a mysterious murder, and discovers darker forces at work. Their world is one where there's constant distrust between the high-bloods and the humans, and the leads have to work through that for both the case and their romance. I enjoyed the suspense side of things but the romance/characters could use better development. The heroine is fine, but the hero is overtly aggressive/alpha/testosterone-fuelled, and deserves a kick to the head at times.
Their romance is steamy but lacks depth, even with the supposed years-long attraction between them, although it does get better further in. Writing wise, it's a bit clunky and she's fond of interchangeably using male/man and female/woman, and a penchant for "husking" and "rasping" which is a bit off-putting for me. Kinda a mixed bag for me overall.
Their romance is steamy but lacks depth, even with the supposed years-long attraction between them, although it does get better further in. Writing wise, it's a bit clunky and she's fond of interchangeably using male/man and female/woman, and a penchant for "husking" and "rasping" which is a bit off-putting for me. Kinda a mixed bag for me overall.
schomj's review
3.0
Did anyone else feel like the heroine's family dynamic was like Kate Daniels fanfic? (Just that part, nothing else.)
Interesting world building. The characters were engaging, in a low-key sort of way. Could have used a bit more conflict or banter or zip or something, but overall it was an enjoyable way to spend a few hours.
Interesting world building. The characters were engaging, in a low-key sort of way. Could have used a bit more conflict or banter or zip or something, but overall it was an enjoyable way to spend a few hours.
lpcoolgirl's review
5.0
This book was utterly wonderful! I loved being in this amazing world, with these characters, and the mystery was so freaking great! I loved it, and I can't wait to read more!