Hello my lovelies! I have another review for you and for once it's not a book I read specifically intending to review. I can't tell you how excited I was to realize Gena Showalter had released a new book, Beauty Awakened. I freaking ADORE her Lords of the Underworld series beyond words. She's an auto-buy for me, I don't even read the blurb, I just snag it and usually run up to my hubby jumping up and down for joy.
Yes, I really do literally jump up and down for joy.
The last couple of her books have been good, but I've noticed a subtle shifting in the tone. It's easier for me to put it down and I skip around more in the book. It hasn't stopped me from buying her books...yet. So, what did I think of her latest? Well..
About the book:
Publisher: Harlequin - HQN
Publication Date: February 26, 2013
My source for the book: Bought
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Description:
WHAT I LIKED:
This is the second book of her Angels of the Dark series and, as with all of her books, it's standalone. The story was pretty interesting and I have to admit to being quite intrigued by Koldo after reading Wicked Nights. We get more of a look into the world of angels and I really liked the idea of an angel as wounded as Koldo by his horrible parents. I wanted to love this book, truly. Parts of it were really interesting, there was some great humor in areas and some of the snappy dialog I loved from the Lords of the Underworld books.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
I don't know where to begin. The last few books, culminating with this one, have been less than exciting and borderline boring as hell. Not only that, they've gotten preachy. Every once in a blue moon, I'll read an inspirational romance but it's rare. The Lords of the Underworld were magnificent, some of the funniest books I've read, great dialog, fast paced action, and amazing sex scenes.
This though? This was lacking so much. As I said before, parts were pretty funny but much of the book was slow and felt dull. The sex was practically non-existent. Where's the passion, the heat of the old books? I mean seriously, they don't even have sex until just before the end. I'm not all about sex but when your previous books are incredibly erotic, you come to expect a certain heat level. Even when we got to the scene it felt rather chaste.
The action was a poor imitation of what I expect from Gena and I found myself skipping around. I sometimes read books out of order, but if I love the book, I'm drawn to read it straight through. It's a weird habit I know, but what I've done for years. This book, however, I skipped around and never felt compelled to read straight through. Nothing captured my interest long enough. Every time I tried to start reading consecutively, I found myself skipping pages looking for the author I loved so much.
OVERALL VERDICT: 2.5/5 Blue Duckies
If someone had told me the first book I gave this rating to would be a Gena Showalter book, I'd have laughed my ass off. Perhaps if I wasn't so used to the Lords, I wouldn't have been so disappointed. I'm not sure what happened to Gena, I just know her writing has changed significantly. While there were attempts at bringing back the rapid pace, intense action scenes, it pales in comparison to the older books. There's a new Lords of the Underworld coming out in June and frankly, I'm almost afraid to read it for fear of ruining one of my all time favorite series.
New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter returns with another captivating Angels of the Dark tale, as a tormented warrior is brought to his knees by the most delicate of humans….
His name is Koldo. He is scarred, powerful, his control legendary—and he lives only for vengeance against the angel who viciously removed his wings. But if he yields to the forces of hatred, he will be eternally damned.
Nicola Lane was born with a defective heart, yet this fragile human shows surprising strength as demons stalk her every move, determined to end her. She is the key to Koldo's deliverance…and his downfall. Though he fights duty, destiny and his first addictive taste of desire, his toughest battle will be the one for Nicola's life—even if he has to sacrifice his own….
WHAT I LIKED:
This is the second book of her Angels of the Dark series and, as with all of her books, it's standalone. The story was pretty interesting and I have to admit to being quite intrigued by Koldo after reading Wicked Nights. We get more of a look into the world of angels and I really liked the idea of an angel as wounded as Koldo by his horrible parents. I wanted to love this book, truly. Parts of it were really interesting, there was some great humor in areas and some of the snappy dialog I loved from the Lords of the Underworld books.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
I don't know where to begin. The last few books, culminating with this one, have been less than exciting and borderline boring as hell. Not only that, they've gotten preachy. Every once in a blue moon, I'll read an inspirational romance but it's rare. The Lords of the Underworld were magnificent, some of the funniest books I've read, great dialog, fast paced action, and amazing sex scenes.
This though? This was lacking so much. As I said before, parts were pretty funny but much of the book was slow and felt dull. The sex was practically non-existent. Where's the passion, the heat of the old books? I mean seriously, they don't even have sex until just before the end. I'm not all about sex but when your previous books are incredibly erotic, you come to expect a certain heat level. Even when we got to the scene it felt rather chaste.
The action was a poor imitation of what I expect from Gena and I found myself skipping around. I sometimes read books out of order, but if I love the book, I'm drawn to read it straight through. It's a weird habit I know, but what I've done for years. This book, however, I skipped around and never felt compelled to read straight through. Nothing captured my interest long enough. Every time I tried to start reading consecutively, I found myself skipping pages looking for the author I loved so much.
OVERALL VERDICT: 2.5/5 Blue Duckies
If someone had told me the first book I gave this rating to would be a Gena Showalter book, I'd have laughed my ass off. Perhaps if I wasn't so used to the Lords, I wouldn't have been so disappointed. I'm not sure what happened to Gena, I just know her writing has changed significantly. While there were attempts at bringing back the rapid pace, intense action scenes, it pales in comparison to the older books. There's a new Lords of the Underworld coming out in June and frankly, I'm almost afraid to read it for fear of ruining one of my all time favorite series.
If you're reading Gena Showalter for the first time with this book, please read her Lords of the Underworld books because they are far far better than this. If you're an avid fan, I'd still give this a read to keep abreast of the mythology of her books, but don't go into it expecting anything on par with her earlier works.
I just realized in trying to sum up this book to someone that I had to consciously think about what happened in this story. I've read Gena's previous books so many times, the stories are imprinted in my brain pretty damn well. This one? I read the majority last night and already I'm having to think very hard about what actually happened. It makes me sad to think of how forgettable this one is.
I just realized in trying to sum up this book to someone that I had to consciously think about what happened in this story. I've read Gena's previous books so many times, the stories are imprinted in my brain pretty damn well. This one? I read the majority last night and already I'm having to think very hard about what actually happened. It makes me sad to think of how forgettable this one is.
Well I'm glad I got this book free in a giveaway, especially if it isn't as interesting as her LOTU books. I've been kind of disappointed with her latest Lords books too though, it's just not the same as her first ones. Thanks for the warning before I read it so I know not to expect her usual style.
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