Review: Still Amazing, But...
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 02 20, 2014
Oh. No. You. Didn't!You (I'm talking to YOU Miss Author) can NOT leave me hanging like this! I want the next book NOW!Okay, I'm going to say it but there was WAY too much romance in this one. That's not a bad thing (though I can do without it more often than not) but Beckit kinda let me down for much of the story this time. I really wanted to see her discover her te-trad power and it didn't happen. She spent too much time allowing herself to be bullied and sexually harrassed by Kale, the erone designated to take Aaron's place. There was also the trust/abandonment issues that she had to deal with, but there could have been a better time or place for that. Beckit sweetie, get your hunky erone to train you in basic self-defense. After all, there's a bunch of homicidal maniacs not just out to kill you, but to destroy the world you now call home. Or, as your bff Tameka is always urging, a knee in the gummy bears.Speaking of which, Tameka was the star this time. Her and her mother (yes you read that right) pretty much stole the show.I forgot to mention in the previous review about how incredibly creative M.A. Wilder was with her knights. They're shifters, but instead of turning into animals, they shift into metal beings with their swords that come out of their backs. It's really a neat idea. I'd love to read more about how the process of becoming a shifter-knight happens.Also, I got that Aaron took his duty to guard Beckit with his life seriously. I also got that he had fallen in love with her, but the possessive jealousy thing needs to seriously CHILL. Granted, I was thrilled when that lower than pond scum Kale finally got what he deserved at Aaron's hands, but the rest of his "don't touch my woman" thing started wearing on me. As did the "every male wants Beckit" thing. Neither of these were necessary in my opinion. This series is far too good to get stuck in typical YA/PNR tropes mode.And this IS a highly imaginative series with lots of twists and turns and definitely humor. Admittedly I do love Beckit and Aaron as a couple and yes, the sexy scenes are definitely well-written (and hot), but as a fantasy reader first, I need my swords and sorcery fix before anything else is allowed to happen.Thankfully, Beckit gets her groove back (somewhat) for the last half of the book, but to be fair, her behaviour before was just her trying to protect her friends from those out to kill her. This book was a little more bloody, so both Beckit and Tameka know just how serious things are.This series biggest strength is its diversity as well as the deep bonds of friendship between Beckit and those who've become her new family on Traterra. Yay for Ran and Frost.I still enjoyed the book but I hope the next one has Beckit coming into her own. Kick-ass heroines are not just a preference, but a requirement.