Review: NOT REALLY WICKED ANYTHING...
Rating: 2 out of 5
Date: 03 26, 2011
. NO SPOILERS or plot summaries. Recommendations included.HIGH LEVEL: Book 2 in the Wicked series that starts withWicked Sexy: Wicked, Book 1that is set in a world of witches (Magians) who mate into threesomes. A fun premise from a talented author, I'm excited to see where the series goes... but not thrilled so far. This book was a disappointment all around. If this was another author, perhaps a new author, I might give it 3 stars, but because it's Alexander I'm giving it 2 because we all know she can do better in her sleep. If you aren't familiar with her work yet- PLEASE don't start here! I wouldn't want you to get the wrong idea! Maybe her Children of the Goddess series linked below.PLOT: There really wasn't any coherent plot- just a series of unfortunate events. The pacing was choppy. There was no build up of of tension- sexual or otherwise. Kidnapping is a tough angle to work into a romance. It takes skill to create an opportunity for a girl to forgive that kind of thing, but here there was no compelling reason for Harrison to do so. (Kresley Cole and Gena Showalter are two authors who excel at turning that kind of thing around.) I'm not even sure I understood what the hell happened during the resolution of the main conflict. Harrison's extreme need for independence was never properly embraced. It was as if this was merely a ploy to get the story started and then turned into a trivial event- perhaps even a childish one. I was really disappointed in that aspect.ROMANCE: There was no development along these lines either. Three attractive people... some hot, but quick sex... a few paragraphs of back story to give them each a little history... then BAM, all of a sudden happily ever after? No working together, no winning each other over, no endearing moments? Nope, not feeling it- which is a real shame because I usually love the threesome set up. This had potential over book 1 because unlike book 1, the men here were romantically involved with each other.CHARACTERS: What characters? Were there characters, because I might have missed that... Sarcasm aside, our girl Harrison had a lot of potential and I felt like the lack of plot stomped all over her. Jacob and Ric were little more than spoiled, arrogant underwear models with magic. Not even sure if either of them had jobs or hobbies.BOTTOM LINE: This wasn't offensive, but barely worth reading. There are still some fun moments here, but overall a disappointment. If you are a fan of Alexander, then I recommend just reading it because I STILL have faith this series will get better.RECOMMENDATIONS:1. R.G. Alexander's steamy vampire/were/witch romance series:Regina in the Sun (Children of the Goddess)2. Moira Rogers' magically diverse romance seriesCrux: Southern Arcana, Book 13. Anya Bast'sWitch Fire (Elemental Witches, Book 1)- sweet, sexy para-romance with witches, demons and more4. Dana Marie Bell'sDare to Believe (The Gray Court)- sexy para-romance with all manner of fae: Sidhe, dragons, leprechauns, vampires and more.5. Kresley Cole's adventurous  and intricate magical romance series (never mind the ridiculous title):A Hunger Like No Other (Immortals After Dark, Book 1)6. Jacquelyn Frank'sJacob (The Nightwalkers, Book 1)- demons, were, vamps and other fae finding their better halves in races that should be the enemy7. Larissa Ione'sPleasure Unbound (Demonica, Book 1)- demon centric romance series that sets up a demon-run hospital under a human city. Not as well written as the others.8. Sherrilyn Kenyon'sFantasy Lover- Dark Hunter series with shifters, vamps and Greek gods. The first book is not as good as the rest- it just gets better and better.9. J.R. Ward'sDark Lover (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 1)- also darker, more violent and incredibly intense vampire romance series. Vampires protect the world from evil. Vivid glimpses into the evil perspective as well.10. Lara Adrian's Kiss of Midnight (The Midnight Breed, Book 1) - also darker, more violent, but incredibly intense. Vampires protect the world from their evil brethren.